How women in music push for equity beyond the stage

Women in the music industry are gaining visibility as performers, but experts say challenges remain in representation behind the scenes, particularly in production, executive roles, and sound engineering.

According to the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, women made up just 2.8% of producers in popular music between 2012 and 2022. Songwriting and leadership roles also show similar gaps.

“Women in music are constantly proving their talent, yet they still struggle for equal opportunities behind the scenes,” said a music distribution platform's Ansuiya Sharma. “The industry needs to move beyond just spotlighting female artists and focus on creating leadership opportunities.”

Female professionals often face systemic biases, including lower pay, limited mentorship, and restrictive gender norms.
“There’s still this perception that women must work twice as hard to be taken seriously in production and business roles,” said Grammy-winning producer Emily Lazar. “It’s not just about breaking into the industry—it’s about staying in and leading.”

Despite hurdles, more women are forming independent labels, joining advocacy networks, and mentoring others.

“More women are starting their own labels and production companies, which is a powerful shift,” Sharma added. “But real change will come when diversity and inclusion are prioritized across all levels of the industry.”