Audiovisual sector faces gender paradox as women leave industry

Half of women graduating into film and TV disappear from the industry resulting a gender paradox in the sector, according to a research conducted by the Aalto University.

Equal numbers of women and men are educated in the audiovisual field, but half of female graduates disappear into other sectors or out of the workforce, said the researchers, adding that the industry suffers from a serious skills shortage.

National and international studies and the observations by professionals in the sector show that there are far fewer job opportunities for women than for men.

The findings of Statistics Finland's Work Life Survey (2019), Cultural Policy Research Centre Cupore’s Employment Survey for Film Graduates (2020) and the survey conducted by the joint Action! project of Aalto University and Women in Film & Television Finland (2020) all repeat the same themes of gender and age discrimination, closed networks and closed job search.

‘The field faces a serious problem in truly valuing women workers and along it, a problem of how to match the work with the people who do it. The audiovisual industry must finally move into the 2020s, also in terms of gender equality. This requires active intervention, changes in the ways of working and bold decisions for diversity’, said Kirsi Reinola, Project Manager of Action! project at Aalto University's Department of Film and Television.

The Action! project, ending in May, has for three years been studying the current state of gender equality in the audiovisual sector and working to promote it.

‘We believe that the fastest way to improve the situation is to invest in gender equality. Therefore, the Growth Pact must include three desired changes: work culture, decision-making and skills development’, said Nina Maskulin, Action! project researcher at Aalto University’s Department of Film and Television.

The Action! project concludes by suggesting that in return, companies that receive significant public funding must collect data on gender impacts and comply with pay equity – as Finland is committed to promoting gender equality in working life at national, EU and UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development levels.

‘We need to understand that an equal and respectful work culture is a key part of responsible business and a future success factor for the sector’, said Kirsi Reinola.

The research also proposed solutions to address gender equality and skills shortages in the audiovisual sector.

The proposals included that the audiovisual sector needs a more open attitude towards diversity and more extensive cooperation. There is also a need for transparency and information on tasks, projects, salaries and contracts.

The gender impact of public funding needs to be actively monitored, reported and evaluated, with comparable statistics. There is also a need for more gender and diversity data as well as indicators.