MPs to hear experiences of women in live comedy
Comedian and writer Ola Labib, Comedian and Co-Founder of Get Off Live Comedy Nina Gilligan and journalist Rachael Healy will give evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee during a session exploring the experiences of women in live comedy.
Meeting details
The session held by the cross-party committee chaired by Labour MP Sarah Owen will examine the representation of women across the sector, including those from ethnic and religious minority backgrounds, and consider the barriers they face in building a career in live comedy.
Discussion is also likely to focus on the gender pay gap, the challenges associated with freelance work and women’s safety in live comedy, including experiences of harassment and abuse. It will assess the available reporting mechanisms and consider whether these and the consequences for perpetrators are adequate.
WEC will also examine the new duty on employers to protect staff from third‑party harassment, and the failure to include freelancers, and the Government’s proposed legislative change to ban non‑disclosure agreements in cases of harassment and abuse.
The session will explore the potential role of independent bodies, regulators, and trade unions in strengthening protections and improving working conditions to support female comedians.