Spotify remains committed to promoting gender equality in the music industry and beyond. In 2021, we introduced the EQUAL Global Music Program to amplify and celebrate the work of women creators worldwide. Since its launch, EQUAL has made a significant impact by showcasing women in audio through various global partnerships, activations, new content experiences, and support both on and off the platform.
On this International Women’s Day, we take a moment to reflect on how the program has influenced artists worldwide. Bel Aztiria, Lead of Social and Equity Music Programs at Spotify, expressed immense pride in EQUAL’s accomplishments over the past three years. The program’s mission to foster equity for women’s diverse voices in audio has resonated within studios, communities, and stages globally. This year, we are honored to continue our partnerships with established and emerging artists, as we highlight female audiobook and podcast creators in our esteemed EQUAL hub.
International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the historical significance of women’s contributions to audio content. At Spotify, we are dedicated to elevating their voices and contributions throughout the year.
Through EQUAL, Spotify empowers women creators by providing them with a platform to share their content with listeners in over 180 markets worldwide. The EQUAL hub on Spotify is a dedicated space for this content.
While there is still work to be done, we are proud of our achievements thus far. Spotify, in its illustrious journey, has graciously embraced the artistic prowess of more than 6,900 remarkable women, who have now found their rightful place in the esteemed EQUAL playlists. Moreover, the benevolent platform has extended its unwavering support to over 1,000 distinguished ambassadors, both within their native lands and across borders, through the means of editorial collaborations, strategic partnerships, and captivating marketing endeavors.
The impact of EQUAL is evident in the numbers. Within their first month of joining the program, EQUAL artists received 1.3 billion editorial streams. Overall, the EQUAL hub has generated over 31 billion editorial streams, resulting in 1 billion listening hours. As we continue on this journey, we remain committed to promoting gender equality and providing a platform for women creators to thrive.In the year 2023 alone, EQUAL playlists led to the discovery of more than 14.8 million artists, and EQUAL artists received a total of over 11,800 editorial playlist adds. The impact of EQUAL is felt everywhere, as it continues to grow and evolve. Today, the program has a presence in studios, on stages, and in communities all around the world. In 2023, Spotify hosted 15 EQUAL activations, spanning from Buenos Aires to Tokyo, Paris to Sydney, and beyond. These activations included EQUAL festivals, which drew a total of 30,000 attendees and counting. Additionally, there were panels, networking opportunities, educational programs for artists, original content recording, and participation in key industry events like SXSW and the Grammy Awards. This year, Mexico’s EQUAL Day aims to inspire the next generation of Mexican female creators through various panels, keynotes featuring top-tier artists and creators, and a Spotify Masterclass for emerging artists. Moni Saldaña, Artists and Label Partnerships Manager at Spotify Mexico, emphasizes the importance of this event in providing visibility and connection for women artists and creators. EQUAL also extends its mission globally through partnerships with organizations like UN Women and Calling All Crows, which advocate for gender equality and support women creators. While there is still work to be done to close the gender gap in music, initiatives like EQUAL are driving positive change in the industry. For the fifth consecutive year, Spotify has collaborated with the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative (AII) on an annual study, highlighting the progress being made.