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Gender Equality at the Heart of Cultural Policies

UNESCO studies reveal stark gender disparities in the cultural workforce: Women make up nearly half of the workforce but receive only a third of major film awards, conduct 8% of orchestras, and headline a quarter of DJ shows.
Art for ALL

Women hold 31% of arts executive roles, manage 25% of World Heritage sites, and represent 30% of the gaming industry workforce. Moreover, women with a public online presence face coordinated campaigns against them generating threats and violence, driving many to withdraw from digital spaces.

At MONDIACULT 2022 in Mexico, Ministers of Culture called for stronger policies to close gender gaps. As they reconvene in Barcelona in September 2025, UNESCO hosted the "Art for ALL at the Heart of Tomorrow’s Cultural Policies" consultation on International Women’s Day, bringing together Ministers of Culture, artists, and experts to define priorities for promoting women in the cultural and creative sectors.

Xing Qu, Deputy Director-General, UNESCO

Today, we honor the women driving culture—artists, filmmakers, musicians, architects, and more. Through their work, they preserve heritage and inspire future generations.

Xing QuDeputy Director-General, UNESCO

The global forum opened with the powerful voice of Rossy de Palma, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, who shared how her journey and the work of women artists worldwide reshape narratives and foster diversity of culture. 

Rossy de Palma UNESCO

I decided, instinctively, to shake things up and break free from others' gaze. Instead, I embraced the unknown, exploring exciting new paths.

Rossy de PalmaUNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Diversity
Sadeck Berrabah
Sadeck Berrabah UNESCO
Sadeck Berrabah UNESCO
Sadeck Berrabah UNESCO

Shaping a Global Agenda for Culture

A high-level ministerial panel discussed how a stand-alone goal for culture could take shape in the post-2030 agenda, with gender equality at its core. 

A high-level ministerial panel

We must go further. Cultural policies that do not actively empower women and girls risk reinforcing existing inequalities and limiting the transformative power of culture itself 

Ernesto Ottone R.Assistant Director-General for Culture, UNESCO

With this aim in mind, innovative policies and measures implemented to promote the full participation of women whether in tangible and living heritage or creative industries in Croatia, Mongolia and Kenya were shared. 

H.E. Ms. Chinbat Nomin, Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth, Mongolia

Women are key to preserving our nomadic culture, yet the survey showed they were mostly in service roles, not leadership positions. This insight led us to create mechanisms to empower them.

H.E. Ms. Chinbat NominMinister of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth, Mongolia

Governments face the challenge of ensuring AI promotes inclusion rather than reinforcing discrimination. While digital tools democratize culture, AI often perpetuates gender stereotypes. There is also concern about fair remuneration and recognition for artists, particularly women.

H.E. Ms. Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Minister of Culture and Media, Croatia UNESCO

The real challenge for governments is not just preserving human creativity, but ensuring artists, with special attention on women creators, can still live from their work in an AI-driven world. 

H.E. Ms. Nina Obuljen KoržinekMinister of Culture and Media, Croatia

AI and digital technologies are vital tools for safeguarding Kenya’s cultural heritage and empowering women artists by offering them new platforms in global markets.  

H.E. Ms. Ummi BashirPrincipal Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Kenya

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H.E. Ms. Ummi Bashir, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Kenya

Cultural Policies and Measures

Experts scanned the horizon to tackle unresolved issues and newer challenges, proposing recommendations for the next generation of cultural policies on the road to MONDIACULT 2025.

Jordi Pascual, Coordinator, Culture Committee, United Cities and Local Governments

From Bogotá’s initiative guiding men to rethink masculinity, to Malmö’s efforts to open doors for young girls in music, cities worldwide are rewriting cultural narratives and creating inclusive spaces.

Jordi PascualCoordinator, Culture Committee, United Cities and Local Governments

Creating an inclusive cultural landscape for women requires a holistic approach in policies that includes ongoing mentorship, sustained funding, and targeted measures.

Bridget Conor, Associate Professor of Communication, University of Auckland

We need to ensure that support for women in culture extends beyond entry into the field, continuing throughout their careers with the resources and opportunities for long-term success. 

Bridget ConorAssociate Professor of Communication, University of Auckland

Strengthening gender-disaggregated data collection is crucial to connecting women's needs with cultural policy and measuring progress.

Unathi Lutshaba, Executive Director, South African Cultural Observatory

Data proves that women tend to earn less and are often in less powerful positions. They are seen in front of the camera, while men dominate the director and producer roles. 

Unathi LutshabaExecutive Director, South African Cultural Observatory
Danielle Cliche UNESCO
Art for ALL UNESCO
ART for ALL
Art for ALL UNESCO

The Role of Culture in Emergencies

In times of crisis, culture plays a vital role in preserving identity, fostering resilience, and serving as a platform for dialogue. Women artists and cultural professionals contribute significantly to this effort, not only as creators but also as documentarians of history and agents of change.

Mursal Sayas, Afghan Writer/Journalist

Amid war, amid conflict, amid violence, women are creating art. It is a cure. It is healing. And it is a way to document history.

Mursal SayasAfghan Writer/Journalist

Women’s creativity in conflict zones underscores the unique burdens placed on them. Artistic creation in such environments is not just expression but an act of resistance against erasure.

Fatimah Hossaini, Afghan Artist Photographer UNESCO

I was forced into exile for capturing the strength and beauty of Afghan women: forced to flee my home, just as countless Afghan women have.

Fatimah HossainiAfghan Artist/Photographer

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Anna Stavychenko, Ukrainian musicologist music curator UNESCO

Promoting Ukrainian music means giving voice to a nation under attack. Music carries the soul of our people; it is both a form of resistance and a source of strength. 

Anna StavychenkoUkrainian musicologist/music curator

Women in the cultural sector during emergencies face a double burden—dealing with the challenges of war and displacement while confronting gender-based violence and structural inequalities.

Helena Nassif, Director, Culture Resource (Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafy)

Even if you survive a war, the scars remain. There is a psychological toll, depression, fatigue, burnout, that leads to the marginalization of women artists. It makes their voices tremble, their breathing shallow. And yet, they continue.

Helena NassifDirector, Culture Resource (Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafy)

Global solidarity is key to supporting exiled women artists through funding, residencies, legal protections, mentorship, and safer digital platforms. Strong support networks at all levels are essential, along with gender sensitivity and trauma training for organizations to better support women artists.

Helge Lunde, Executive Director of the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) UNESCO

Although more women artists are under threat, only 30% of those who apply for protection are women. And yet, when cities open their doors, more than 50% of those hosted are women. This suggests that when given a choice, communities prioritize protecting women artists.

Helge LundeExecutive Director of the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN)

Call to Real Action

As MONDIACULT 2025 approaches, the focus is on translating commitments and recommendations into tangible actions, particularly in advancing women’s full participation and recognition in cultural life. When women’s creativity is allowed to flourish, society thrives.

H.E. Amb. Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the General Conference, UNESCO

As the renowned Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reminds us: 'Culture does not make people. People make culture. If it is true that the full humanity of women is not our culture, then we can and must make it our culture.

H.E. Amb. Simona-Mirela MiculescuPresident of the General Conference, UNESCO

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Begona Lasagabaster UNESCO

To make gender equality a reality in cultural spaces, there needs to be measurable indicators, the right technologies, and dedicated financial support.

Begoña LasagabasterDirector, Division for Gender Equality

Live illustrations

During the event, illustrator Victoria Grenier, a member of Cartooning for Peace, captured the key ideas of each panelist’s discussion through her illustrations.

Victoria Grenier UNESCO
Victoria Grenier UNESCO
Victoria Grenier
Victoria Grenier UNESCO