What is needed to promote gender equality in the cultural sector? Responses from cultural professionals in Catalonia

Abstract

Despite the growing evidence of inequalities related to the presence, promotion and labor conditions of women in the cultural sector, as well as the factors that cause these inequalities, there is still a lack of research and consensus on the key measures that should be applied to reduce the effect of these inequalities. The aim of this study was to identify intervention measures, from both the public and private sectors, that will help promote gender equality in the Catalan context. In a three-round survey using the Delphi technique, cultural professionals were asked about the most appropriate measures to achieve gender equality in cultural employment. In this regard, this article presents an innovative data-gathering methodology for cultural studies, involving diverse stakeholders from the public, private and civil society sectors and contributing to informed decision-making processes. The highest priority measure identified in both the public and private sectors was related to compliance with legal provisions regarding the recognition of equal pay for work of equal value between women and men. The adoption of and compliance with laws and regulations aimed at advancing gender equality and the establishment of measures related to the reconciliation of work with family and social life was also prioritized highly by most professionals. The full set of measures proposed by cultural experts and affected groups can help to effectively address gender inequalities in the Catalan context and provide ideas for other local and national settings.