India’s media and entertainment (M&E) industry still shows a high gender gap, as only 12% of the director or CXO positions are filled by women out of 144 positions analyzed among 25 large media and entertainment companies. It is a tiny amount when compared to the year of 2023 (women having 13% of such jobs) In the fourth version of O Womaniya! 2024 report.
The study, released by Amazon Prime Video in collaboration with Ormax Media and produced by Film Companion Studios, examines female representation across leadership and production roles in the Indian entertainment industry. Despite some positive developments in specific areas, the findings underscore significant gaps in gender parity.
Key Findings of the Report
- Corporate Leadership: Women hold 12% of director and CXO roles across 25 top firms, a marginal decline from the previous year.
- Production Roles: Only 15% of head-of-department (HOD) positions in critical areas like direction, cinematography, editing, writing, and production design were occupied by women. Streaming content was a notable exception, with women helming over 20% of HOD roles in streaming films and series.
- Editing Leads the Way: Among production departments, editing emerged as the most inclusive, with 18% of films and series featuring female editors, particularly on streaming platforms.
Industry Efforts and Expert Commentary
Stuti Ramachandra, Director and Head of Production for International Originals at Prime Video India, highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to improve gender equity in the industry.
O Womaniya! exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing female representation in the industry. This report calls on all of us to accelerate transformative efforts—not merely taking small steps, but making bold strides toward a world where opportunities are defined by capability and talent, not gender.
Despite streaming platforms showing some progress, the report emphasizes the need for collective action across all sectors of the M&E industry to close gender gaps and foster equitable opportunities.
A Call to Action
The O Womaniya! 2024 report sheds light on the structural and cultural barriers that continue to hinder women’s advancement in the industry. While incremental progress is being made in certain areas, particularly through streaming platforms, the overall numbers indicate that more work needs to be done. Bold reforms, increased accountability, and proactive hiring policies will be critical to achieving gender parity in this rapidly growing sector.
