Gender equality
The French Association of Orchestras is committed to equality between men and women and works for a better representation of women in orchestras.
The charter for equality between women and men in orchestras and operas
Back in 2001, the Association Française des Orchestres produced its first study on the place of women in orchestras. In 2017, a new study provided an updated statistical overview.
In 2018, instructed by the results of this survey, the AFO and Forces Musicales, the employers' union for opera houses and orchestras, adopted the Charter for Equality between Women and Men in Orchestras and Operas, a genuine nationwide action plan to promote equality. The Réunion des Opéras de France joined the Charter in February 2023. The text was then extended to cover the specific issues of ballet and chorus.(See press kit)
A permanent equal opportunities commission, comprising 4 representatives from the orchestras and operas, oversees implementation of the charter. It meets several times a year.
Committee members :
- Florence Alibert, Orchestre national de Metz Grand Est
- Jean-Marc Bador, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
- Valérie Chevalier, Opera Orchestre national de Montpellier
- Mathieu Rietzler, Opéra de Rennes
PEARLE* Award 2018
On November 22, 2018, the Association Française des Orchestres and the Syndicat des Forces Musicales jointly received the European "PEARLE*2018" award for diversity and equal opportunities following the adoption of the Charter.
AFO studies and key figures
The AFO conducts regular surveys on the issue of equality, notably on orchestra programming and communication. Observation is an essential prerequisite for implementing a national strategy in favor of equality, as it enables us to measure reality and make it clear. It is also the only way to assess the impact of our actions within the sector.
- The representation of women in orchestral programming
- The representation of women in orchestral communications
- Gender balance in orchestra governance
Training courses
- Raising awareness on gender equality
- Preventing gender-based and sexual violence (Session 1)
- Preventing gender-based and sexual violence (session 2)
- The forgotten women of music history: (re)discovering women composers
Resources
Les oubliées de l'histoire de la musique: (re)découvrir les compositrices (Extract from the conference of March 29, 2022 - Jérôme Thiébaux)
What you need to know
Press kit | Orchestras and Operas take action for gender equality