Women and gender-diverse artists are transforming the cultural and creative sectors worldwide—breaking boundaries, reimagining narratives, and driving innovation. Yet they continue to face systemic obstacles, from unequal access to funding and leadership roles to precarious working conditions and lack of visibility.
To address these persistent gaps, UNESCO partners with countries to embed gender equality into the heart of cultural policymaking. The Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity and Artistic Freedom initiative—funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)—is a programme dedicated specifically to gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors. It currently supports Indonesia, Peru, and Senegal as they take steps to develop inclusive policies, strengthen women’s leadership, and build more equitable creative ecosystems.

Why it matters

Cultural expressions have the power to challenge stereotypes, reshape public narratives, and amplify voices that have long been silenced. However, despite growing global recognition of these possibilities, gender-based inequalities remain deeply entrenched in the cultural and creative sectors.

Women and gender-diverse individuals are still underrepresented in leadership roles, earn less than their male peers, and often face barriers to professional recognition and career progression. These disparities are further compounded by informal labour practices, a lack of social protections, and exposure to harassment—particularly in digital and media spaces.

Message from Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of International Women’s Day – 8 March 2025: "Although women make up almost half the workforce in the culture and entertainment sector, they are underrepresented in leadership positions and overrepresented in precarious jobs in the industry."

Recent efforts have begun to shift the landscape. According to UNESCO’s Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity (2022), 77% of countries reported having policies or measures to promote gender equality in the cultural sector by 2020. Yet progress is uneven and often fragile. The Gender & Creativity report (2021) emphasizes the need to move beyond awareness and research toward concrete, transformative action—changing not only who participates in culture, but how culture is funded, managed, and valued

This recognition is not new. Key international frameworks—aligned with UNESCO’s Global Priority for Gender Equality—have long provided tools to advance gender equality in the cultural sector. Article 7 of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions calls on countries to create environments that respond to the specific needs of women in culture, while the 1980 Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist encourages states to promote women’s creativity and ensure their full participation across all areas of artistic life.

How the programme works: supporting action on the ground

The ReIShaping initiative works directly with stakeholders to co-design targeted interventions that build inclusive, gender-transformative cultural ecosystems. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, the programme provides tailored support based on each country’s unique priorities and challenges. This includes conducting context-specific research, facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue, developing capacity-building programmes, and supporting the formulation or revision of gender-responsive cultural policies.

These interventions are guided by four key pillars. The first promotes gender parity, encouraging measures that ensure equitable access to leadership, funding, and recognition. The second focuses on improving working conditions, particularly for women and gender-diverse individuals who often face precarious employment and limited protections. The third emphasizes data and monitoring, helping countries collect and analyse gender-disaggregated data to inform evidence-based policy. The fourth supports policy and legislative reform, aiming to embed gender equality in cultural strategies and legal frameworks, while amplifying the voices of those historically excluded from decision-making.

These principles come to life through the work being carried out in Indonesia, Peru, and Senegal—each offering a unique example of how gender equality in the cultural and creative industries can be advanced through local action.

Putting principles into practice

Across all three partner countries, these principles are now informing locally driven actions to create more inclusive and resilient cultural ecosystems.

In Indonesia, efforts are anchored in the country’s 2025–2045 Culture Advancement Master Plan, which prioritizes gender equality and women’s leadership. A national study is currently underway to assess gendered working conditions across key creative sectors. The findings will inform policy recommendations and an implementation roadmap to strengthen inclusion across the country’s cultural industries.

In Peru, the programme builds on existing national frameworks, including the Plan for the Recovery of Cultural Industries and Arts to 2030. The Women Cultural Managers Scholarship programme is empowering women from marginalized communities to take on leadership roles in the cultural sector. The creation of a national network for scholarship recipients has further strengthened peer support, professional exchange, and visibility.

In Senegal, the initiative is contributing to a broader regional strategy across West Africa. A regional gender-focused study—covering 15 countries—is currently being conducted to better understand disparities and inform inclusive policy design. At the same time, Senegal is exploring pilot training activities to support the development of gender-transformative policies through engagement with public institutions and civil society. 

Looking ahead

The results and insights emerging from the Re|Shaping initiative will serve as valuable contributions to the global conversation on cultural policy. As countries prepare for the next World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development - MONDIACULT 2025, and the international community celebrates the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Convention, the outcomes will inform reflections on progress and priorities. By highlighting effective practices, addressing persistent gaps, and advancing inclusive solutions, the ReIShaping initiative is playing a vital role in shaping the future of the Convention—and the future of cultural policies that leave no one behind.