Spotify has released findings from a nationwide study examining the experiences of women working across India’s music ecosystem. The research, conducted by YouGov in September, surveyed more than 1,000 respondents across roles including artists, producers, DJs, sound engineers, label teams and live industry professionals. Women made up around 70 percent of participants, largely from Gen Z and millennial cohorts.
The report outlines a familiar picture: progress on representation and opportunity in some areas, matched by persistent structural challenges that continue to shape the careers of women in music.
Safety remains the most urgent concern
More than half of all women surveyed ranked safe and inclusive work environments as their top challenge, placing it ahead of work-life balance and representation. Thirty-six percent reported facing unsafe or non-inclusive workplaces firsthand, indicating that the issue extends well beyond perception.
Mentorship and leadership gaps affect career growth
The lack of mentorship and limited presence of women in leadership roles emerged as central barriers. Nearly 40 percent of respondents said the absence of mentorship had negatively affected them, while 39 percent cited restricted access to decision-making roles.
Women in technical fields reported the sharpest disparities. Only 31 percent of respondents in engineering, production or similar roles rated their growth opportunities as “excellent,” compared with 50 percent across other functions. Many respondents attributed this to stereotypes around women in technical jobs and fewer visible role models in senior positions.
A majority, 61 percent, said better leadership representation would meaningfully improve career pathways for women across the sector.
Work-life balance and support systems continue to shape participation
Half of all women surveyed identified work-life balance and family support as key obstacles to sustaining long-term careers. A third of respondents highlighted the need for stronger support structures at home and within communities to enable women to participate more consistently in music and live events.
What the industry can do next
The study points to several interventions that could strengthen representation and retention:
• stronger community-led safe spaces
• targeted mentorship and peer networks
• greater visibility for women in leadership and technical roles
• improved support structures enabling long-term participation
A significant number of respondents, 31 percent, also said brands and platforms could play a role by creating safe spaces and collaborative networks for women across the industry.
Dhruvank Vaidya, Head of Music and Podcasts at Spotify India, said, “The findings of this study reaffirm that safety, visibility, and inclusion remain central to creating an equitable music industry. At Spotify, we’ve been working toward this through initiatives like EQUAL, which celebrates women artists and amplifies their voices globally, as well as by collaborating with partners and communities to build safer and more inclusive creative spaces. Continued dialogue and concrete, on-going action are key to making long-term change.”
Spotify EQUAL in India
The release of the report coincides with Spotify’s first EQUAL gathering in India, which brought together women artists, label teams, entrepreneurs and community leaders. The programme is designed to increase visibility for women through playlisting, marketing support, mentorship and networking opportunities.
The study signals a growing willingness to confront long-standing inequities within the Indian music industry while mapping out the systemic support needed to move toward greater safety, representation and sustainability for women across the ecosystem.
