Playback published an article today about an open letter written by Quebec directors criticizing the industry for shutting women out of film making. While women do have opportunities to make films, the letter states, female directors are often saddled with lower budgets than their male colleagues. While this article focuses on the film industry, it made me reflect on the position of women in the recording industry.

I'm studying Radio and Television amongst a student population of more women than men, but in the audio stream, the ratio is reversed. Why is this? Certainly one reason is that there are few female role models in the industry. I look up to producers like Dave Fridmann and Nigel Godrich, but can't think of any female producers of that stature. As for the root causes of this problem, I can't say for sure, but it certainly is a problem. Why is our industry so behind the times in this regard? Most importantly, what can be done about it?