S1 E7 2020 International Women's Day, interview's with women involved in the Music Industry, discussing the on-going struggles they face.

March 8th 2020 is International Women's Day, this year's campaign theme is #EachforEqual; An equal world is an enabled world. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations, and celebrate women's achievements.

This year's theme fits perfectly in to the ongoing struggles that women within the music industry face world wide. I extended a Public invitation to all women involved within any aspect of the music industry, offering flexible times to conduct the interview via phone to make it easier to fit in with everyone who could spare up to 30 mins out of their day, in hope of being able to get as many different views as possible. I researched as much as possible prior to writing the questions asked, as I wanted to make sure that the interview would offer something different to what has already been published in the past. Giving the participants the opportunity to be thoughtful, and honest with their responses, enabling them to provide their personal insight and experiences, to shed as much light as possible onto an issue which for generations has been pushed in to the dark. My eyes were opened to how little meaningful discussions are available publicly whilst researching, and there are so many more discussions that need to be had on this subject. With that being said, I hope that next time an opportunity to discuss issues that impact us all becomes available, that more women will trust that I will conduct the interview thoughtfully, and feel safe in sharing their stories with me.

I would like to thank everyone that agreed to be interviewed, I appreciate you all for supporting my podcast, and for making the time to chat with me,

I chose to open and close this special episode with "I Am Woman", which was written by Helen Reddy, and Ray Burton.

The questions asked:

Q: What does this year’s theme for International Woman’s Day “An equal world is an enabled world” mean to you in relation to your role?

Q: Do you think that the Australian music industry is inclusive of everyone?

Q: Why do think so many female music students do not go on to work within the Music Industry once they have completed their studies?

Q: Are the women who teach music failing to support, encourage, and mentor their female students? Could they be giving priority to their male students knowing that they have a better chance of being successful within the industry?

Q: Have you ever felt pressured to compromise your own comfort levels in order to look a certain way, or stopped being true to yourself in hope of getting ahead?

Q: Have you experienced indecent behaviour either physically, mentally or emotionally while working as a musician?

Q: Have you had an experience when you felt that you were not supported or sabotaged by other women in the industry?

Q: Has there been a time that you have not been given credit for work that you have done, or someone has taken the credit for your work?

Q: Have you witnessed positive changes in the industry in regards to women?

Q: Is there anything that you would still like to see change?

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