- Songwriting and production: Male songwriters and producers still dominate the industry. According to a study by the University of Southern California, women accounted for only 22.5% of songwriters and 2.8% of producers on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2021.
- Artist representation on charts and playlists: Male artists continue to dominate the charts and major music playlists. In 2021, women accounted for only 23% of artists on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and 20% of artists on Spotify's Top 200 Global chart.
- Award recognition: Men have historically been more likely to receive awards and recognition in the music industry. For example, in the Grammy Awards, women have won only 11% of Album of the Year awards, and only 3% of Producer of the Year awards since 1959.
- Festivals and live performances: Male artists still headline a disproportionately high number of festivals and live performances. According to a 2020 study by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, women made up only 14% of headlining acts at major U.S. music festivals in 2019.
- Industry leadership positions: Women are underrepresented in leadership positions within the music industry, including record labels, music publishers, and concert promoters. According to a 2021 report by the Recording Industry Association of America, women hold only 21.5% of senior executive positions at major music companies.
Despite these challenges, there are positive developments and increasing awareness of gender inequality in the music industry. A number of initiatives and advocacy organizations are working to promote gender diversity and inclusion at all levels.