Women in African music

Salawa Abeni perfroming at Afropolitan Vibes in June. Photo: Aderemi Adegbite

Female artists in Africa are still experiencing many challenges when it comes to navigating the music industry as freely as their male counterparts. There are many levels to why this is happening: cultural practices that prevent women from going into arts professions, industry structures that do not permit women to climb the corporate ladder and a general view that women are somehow weaker or less creative than men.

At Music In Africa we challenge anyone who harbours such views by sharing with our readership content proving that female artists on the continent are not only equals to men but in many instances the driving force of African creativity and identity.

It is high time that we as Africans put an end to the backward and regressive thinking that women should not be allowed to practice music or be expressive in their communities, that their talents should only extend to looking after their families and homes, and that singing or playing instruments is somehow immoral or disobedient.

Of course, participating in the music industry is not only about singing, dancing or playing an instrument. Women and their views must be represented in organisational, governmental and commercial structures where strategies and policies are thought up and implemented. We’re seeing many structures in countries across the continent still headed by men and all-male boards. If we are to see real democracy in action, then women must be a part of each process. Collective management organisations, arts ministries and councils in various African countries are good examples of organisations where more work needs to be done if they are to be seen as truly ‘inclusive’.