Gender equality: one step forward, two steps back

Since 2007, gender equality has been one of UNESCO’s two global priorities, including in the culture and media sectors, which is the focus of the ninth chapter. In 2020, Parties reported more measures and policies than ever aiming to enable women to access and excel in the creative economy, as well as to diversify the ways in which girls and women are represented across the spectrum of cultural expressions. However, gender equality remains one of the main challenges encountered by governments and CSOs in implementing the Convention. While culture and entertainment are among the sectors with the highest employment rate of women, at a global level, women in the creative industries are far from being granted the same rights, financial support, career opportunities and professional acknowledgement as their male counterparts. The lack of data regarding women in the culture and media sectors remains an ongoing concern. Gender diversity stands out as one of the emerging areas of importance in protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions, with full respect for human rights.