Every year on March 8th, people around the world celebrate International Women’s Day, and at Music Canada we’re showing our commitment to gender equality by celebrating this year’s theme of #EachForEqual. The theme draws from a notion of ‘Collective Individualism,’ and the way that our individual actions can collectively make change and help create a gender equal world. Music Canada is also celebrating the phenomenal female artists and creators across Canada and beyond, who have helped to give the world a soundtrack for empowerment. 

With a few days until the JUNO Awards in Saskatoon, Music Canada recognizes Alessia Cara as just one of those empowering Canadians. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter is set to host the 49th annual awards ceremony on March 15th. She’s a music phenomenon who maintains well over 15 million monthly listeners. Alessia is also a two-time JUNO Award winner, and the first Canadian-born artist to win the Best New Artist award at the Grammys.

Music Canada applauds organizations in the sector who have created policies and programs that have improved representation across the industry. Recognition of female artists, gender parity on boards, a commitment to safe and respectful workplaces and an industry free of harassment are positive steps that have seen real results.

“We’ve taken action to promote gender diversity on our Board of Directors, amending bylaws to allow for additional independent outside directors, and to introduce a Board Diversity Policy,” said Jackie Dean, Chief Operating Officer at Music Canada. “We have created an Advisory Council, made up of 15 exceptional and passionate individuals from a gender inclusive and diverse cross-section of the music industry. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce nominated Music Canada for the 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Award, in recognition of our changes. We were honoured to be nominated for the award, which celebrates business excellence in supporting the creation of diverse and inclusive workplaces.” 

Significant progress has been made around the globe to protect and promote women’s rights. Yet, there is sadly still nowhere in the world where women can claim to have the same rights and opportunities as men, according to the United Nations. Of the world’s 1.3 billion absolute poor, the majority of this population are women. Women also receive between 30 to 40 percent less pay than men earn for the same work.

Music Canada congratulates the progress that has been made in the music industry, but recognizes there is still more to accomplish. We will continue to champion the rights of women, and we will do this while celebrating the unstoppable Canadian female artists and creators who have left permanent footsteps on the international music scene.