Why?

We strengthen the music industry.

Women* are significantly underrepresented in the Swiss music industry. While around 50% of girls* are still active in music schools, there are hardly any women* present in any professional sectors. For this to change, we must all take on the responsibility; every single person, every organisation, every institution. Helvetiarockt uncovers inequalities, points out alternatives and, in a joint effort, seeks to find concrete solutions. We demand the representation of the diversity of our society and stand strong for a lively and diverse music industry.

On stage in pop, rock and jazz: 11% women*, 89% men*

Music production: 2% women*, 98% men*

Teaching staff at Swiss music highschools 12% Frauen*, 88% Männer*

Unfortunately, there has yet to be a Swiss-wide, cross-disciplinary study to be made on the subject of equality in the cultural sector. Helvetiarockt is in discussion with various stakeholders* in order to implement such a study nationally and in all sectors. Until then, we will create our own diagrams based on our own calculations. Are you a numbers person? Can we count on you to count with us? We are happy to hear about any current statistics – share them with us at mail@helvetiarockt.ch.

News:

Gender relations in the Swiss cultural sector, Pro Helvetia & Zentrum Gender Studies Universität Basel, 2021.

GENDER.MACHT.MUSIK. Geschlechtergerechtigkeit im Jazz, Deutsche Jazzunion, 2020.

Vorstudie «Frauenanteil in Basler Bands», Erhebung zur Geschlechtergerechtigkeit und zur Sichtbarkeit von Frauen in der Basler Popszene, RFV Basel – Popförderung und Musiknetzwerk der Region Basel, 2018.

Frauen in Kultur und Medien. Ein Überblick über aktuelle Tendenzen, Entwicklungen und Lösungsvorschläge, Schulz, Gabriele, Ries, Carolone, Zimmermann, Olaf, Berlin 2016.

DU UND ICH – WIR HANDELN!

 

  • We think outside the gender boxes and break free from traditional binary roles. We don’t judge a person’s abilities or interests on the basis of their gender identity.

 

  • We make sure to include women* in our team. We understand and perceive how hierarchies and power structures function in our daily work life: Who says what, where and why, and point out inequalities.

 

  • When we experience someone being treated unfairly, we intervene. We make sure to create safe spaces where everyone is heard.

 

  • We use gender-appropriate language and pay attention to a balanced and diversified visibility of gender identities, social and ethnic origin, age etc., in our various ways of communication.

 

  • We reflect on our own behavior and patterns. If we are unsure about something we ask questions and make sure to communicate and exchange ideas with friends*.

 

Download here our equality 1 × 1.

 

Not enough? Learn more in our press section.

 

Feminism

Feminism is a personal stance as well as a political movement that demands equal rights and opportunities for all people.

 

Sexism
Sexism is the discrimination on the basis of a person’s biological/assigned sex and gender prejudice based on the unequal social status between women* and men*.

 

Biological sex /Assigned sex
A person’s biological sex is determined by certain biological characteristics and features which define to which gender a person is assigned to at birth.

 

Gender
Gender is referred to as an individual’s social sex. This includes (the) socially and culturally constructed gender roles of women* and men* and the perception of male or female characteristics.

 

Gender diversity
Gender diversity expresses the fact that there are more than just two sexes, i.e. the distinction between women* and men*.

 

Gender-appropriate language
By using gender-appropriate language, we question a hierarchical gender order and stereotypical gender attributes, whilst recognizing that there are more than two gender identities. There are several ways to express this; most common in the German language is the gender star * and the gendergap _. We have chosen the gender star for Helvetiarockt in German, English and Rhaeto-Romanic and the x in French and Italian.

 

Genderstar

In English we look to use gender neutral language where ever possible i.e. musicians, artists or program managers. With the gender star at the end of terms such as woman*, man* or female*, masculine* we question social norms and the binary system.

Experts & Campaigns