Menywod yn y Cyfryngau Creadigol(tu ôl i’r llenni)

Women in Creative Media

(behind the scenes)

Siân GaleEHRC Wales Committee

Cwmni Pawb

Creative Media SectorWelsh Government : Priority Sector : Employment

• 20,300 – across the sector

• 4,500 – TV, Radio & Film• 3,850 – interactive Media• 3,300 - publishing• 2,800 - advertising

Creative Media Sector – RolesTV, Radio & Film

• Decision Makers • Production - Producers,

Directors, Writers, Researchers• Technical – Camera, Sound• Craft – Design, Costume, Make-

up• Post Production – Video Editors

Creative Media Sector Its importance? Reflection of our communities?

• Factual – news, current affairs & documentaries

• Drama – contemporary & historical

• Children’s programmes• Sport • Light Entertainment

MISS REPRESENTATIONa film by Jennifer Siebel Newsom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gkIiV6konY

Creative Media Sector Lack of Diversity – the statistics

UK 5,750 people left the industry in 2009. How many were women? Wales Women = 38% in 2006 – what was the 2009 %?

Creative Media Sector Lack of Diversity – the statistics

UK 5,750 people left the industry in 2009. How many were women? 5,000 !!!Wales Women = 38% in 2006 – what was the 2009 %? 28% (UK Figure 38%)

Creative Media Sector Why lack of gender balance?

• Informal recruitment and promotion practices (Women more likely to have undertaken unpaid work)

• Poor working practices – long hours• Significant freelance working or

fixed term contracts• Very few opportunities for flexible

working

Creative Media Sector Is it surprising that so many women are leaving?

Balancing Children and Work in the Audio Visual Industries

“When my second child was born, I was back at work within twenty four hours. I was directing a show. I didn't have any choice."

Creative Media Sector What can WG, NaFW & We All Do?

• Ensure Equality is considered in all policy and strategy documents (GOWA 2006). Note: Hargreaves review doesn’t mention equality.

• Ensure that social partners (i.e. trade unions and third sector organisations) are consulted as well as employers

Creative Media Sector What can WG, NaFW & We All Do?

• Encourage women to apply for appointments such as the Creative Industries Sector Panel

• Encourage women to apply for positions such as the BBC’s Audience Council for Wales (closing date 3.12.12.) (Only chair is paid) and the S4C Authority (until last year 8 out of 9 were men.)

Creative Media Sector What can WG, NaFW & We All Do?

• Keep up to date with gender balance of decision makers e.g. via EHRC’s Who Runs Wales etc.

• Encourage women and organisations to speak out – use the media (social media, pen & paper, telephone etc.) to let programme makers and others know your views

Creative Media Sector What can WG, NaFW & We All Do?

• Contact the media regarding potential stories or to offer your expertise to be included on e.g. BBC Wales’ database of contributors – encourage other women and URG’s to do so too

• EHRC – Not Just Another Statistic Example

Creative Media Sector What can WG, NaFW & We All Do?

Act on research findings e.g. Drop in number of women in industry from 38% to 28% in three years requires immediate attention

Is there a Welsh alternative to this?

•‘employment in the creative industries is becoming a prerogative of the privileged, and that entry into the profession is largely confined to those who can afford unpaid internships or who have access to those in a position to get them into work’

• New Deal of the Mind, 2010

Resources