Updated: Friday 6 March 2026
Across the music industry, women and gender-diverse people continue to face structural barriers including under-representation, unequal pay, discrimination and harassment.
Alongside ongoing conversations about equity and safety within the sector, a wide range of organisations are working to strengthen representation, opportunity and visibility through mentoring, funding, research, advocacy and community-building initiatives.
The organisations and reports below highlight some of the work taking place across Scotland, the UK and internationally to support women and gender-diverse people working in music.
This list highlights a selection of initiatives and is not exhaustive. If you are aware of an organisation, programme or research initiative that should be included, please get in touch with the SMIA team so we can continue expanding this resource via info@smia.org.uk.
Scotland-Based Organisations
Hen Hoose
Scotland-based collective supporting women (cis and trans) and non-binary artists through collaboration, songwriting camps and artist development.
https://www.henhoose.com
PopGirlz Scotland
Community network supporting female-identifying, non-binary and trans artists across the Scottish music scene.
https://www.facebook.com/popgirlzscotland/
The BIT Collective
Organisation working to catalyse intersectional structural change in Scottish folk and traditional music while platforming projects by women, non-binary and trans musicians.
https://www.thebitcollective.co.uk
Girls Girls Girls Glasgow
Open mic, networking and panel events creating space for women and LGBTQIA+ musicians and music professionals in Glasgow.
https://www.instagram.com/girlsgirlsgirlsglasgow/
The Maket Collective
Initiative from the National Piping Centre working to increase visibility and representation of women across the piping and drumming community.
https://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/our-work/maket-collective/
Research and Policy Organisations
Close the Gap (Scotland)
Research and policy organisation focused on gender inequality in Scotland, including workplace equality.
https://www.closethegap.org.uk
Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA)
Proposed independent body addressing bullying, harassment and discrimination across the UK creative industries.
https://ciisa.org.uk
UK Industry Organisations and Initiatives
Keychange
International initiative encouraging music organisations and festivals to commit to gender balance while supporting talent development for women and gender-diverse artists.
https://www.keychange.eu
PRS Foundation – Women Make Music
Funding programme supporting projects by women, trans and non-binary songwriters, composers and music creators.
https://prsfoundation.com
Women in CTRL
Research and leadership organisation examining power, governance and representation across the music industry.
https://womeninctrl.com
The F-List for Music
Directory and advocacy network supporting women and gender-diverse musicians through opportunities, training and research.
https://thef-listmusic.uk
We Are The Unheard / Unheard Academy
Training and development initiative supporting women and gender-minority producers and songwriters.
https://www.wearetheunheard.com
2% Rising
Community space for women and gender minorities working as producers and studio engineers across the UK and EU.
https://www.2percentrising.com
Saffron Music
Music technology initiative offering workshops and training addressing gender imbalance in electronic music and production.
https://saffronmusic.co.uk
Girls Twiddling Knobs
Education platform supporting women and gender-diverse musicians developing production and recording skills.
https://www.girlstwiddlingknobs.com
Girls I Rate
Organisation creating opportunities and professional pathways for young women entering the music and entertainment industries.
https://girlsirate.com
GIRL GRIND UK
Community supporting Black, Asian and minority ethnic women, girls and non-binary people through creative development programmes.
https://www.girlgrinduk.com
GIRLSofGRIME
Grassroots organisation addressing gender imbalance within grime and urban music scenes.
https://www.girlsofgrime.com
Cactus City Studio
Feminist recording studio providing safe recording spaces for women and gender minorities.
https://www.cactuscitystudio.com
Her Ensemble
Collective string group working to challenge gender stereotypes in performance spaces.
https://www.herensemble.co.uk
Women in Jazz
Organisation celebrating and promoting women jazz musicians while supporting emerging talent.
https://womeninjazz.co.uk
Amplify Her
Community initiative supporting women in music through networking, live events and songwriting camps.
https://www.amplifyher.co.uk
Boudica
Platform supporting trans, non-binary and female-identifying artists working within electronic music.
https://www.boudica.uk
Ladies Music Pub
Community platform hosting events and workshops for women and non-binary people working in music.
https://ladiesmusicpub.com
The Cat’s Mother
Mentoring and consultancy network supporting young creatives entering the music and creative industries.
https://www.thecatsmother.co.uk
SheProducer
Project supporting women to develop skills as independent music producers and self-recording artists.
International Organisations
shesaid.so
Global community connecting women and gender-nonconforming professionals across the music industry.
https://www.shesaid.so
female:pressure
Transnational network and database supporting women and gender-diverse artists in electronic music and digital arts.
https://femalepressure.net
SoundGirls
Community supporting women and gender minorities working in audio engineering and live sound.
https://soundgirls.org
Women in Live Music (WILM)
European platform highlighting women working backstage across technical and production roles in live music.
https://womeninlivemusic.eu
She Is The Music
Non-profit organisation working to increase the number of women across creative and professional roles in the music industry.
https://sheisthemusic.org
Women in Music
Global organisation advancing equality, visibility and opportunity for women across the music industry.
https://www.womeninmusic.org
Research and Reports
A growing body of research highlights persistent gender inequality and discrimination across the music industry.
Key reports include:
University of Glasgow
Women Musicians’ Experiences of Sexual Violence and Harassment in Scottish Folk Music
https://www.sccjr.ac.uk/publication/women-musicians-experiences-scottish-folk-musi
UK Parliament – Women and Equalities Committee
Misogyny in Music (2024)
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5804/cmselect/cmwomeq/129/report.html
UK Parliament – Women and Equalities Committee
Misogyny in Music: On Repeat (2025)
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmselect/cmwomeq/573/report.html
Musicians’ Census – Women Musicians Insight Report (2024)
https://www.musicianscensus.com
ISM – Dignity at Work: Discrimination in the Music Sector (2022)
https://www.ism.org
Youth Music – Just the Way It Is? (2025)
https://www.youthmusic.org.uk
Women in CTRL – Seat at the Table Reports
https://womeninctrl.com
Support Services
If you have experienced harassment, discrimination or abuse while working in music, specialist organisations can provide confidential support and advice.
Read our guide:
Support and Advice for People Affected by Sexual Harassment, Violence and Domestic Abuse