As Women’s Month 2025 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible women of AFEM and their contributions to our community. We asked the women on our team and three inspiring members of our Executive Board to share their perspectives on key issues shaping gender equity in the music industry. Their insights highlight the progress being made and the work still to be done to create a more inclusive and supportive future for all in electronic music. Plus, we’re spotlighting five AFEM members actively driving change and providing vital resources for women in music. Join us in recognizing their impact and exploring how we can all contribute to a more equitable industry.

Georgia Taglietti: Culture & Campaign Manager
Q: What role does mentorship play in shaping career opportunities for women in electronic music, and how can we strengthen these networks?

“Mentorship has played and plays a crucial role in shaping career opportunities for women in electronic music by providing guidance, industry insights, and networking opportunities that can help overcome systemic barriers. I have worked and I continuously collaborate with platforms and individuals to try to establish structured mentorship initiatives within music collectives, labels, educational institutions and more. Beyond top-down mentorship, women at different career stages can support each other by sharing experiences and opportunities. Mentors and mentoring opportunities should be visible, accessible as they are the sustaining structure for growth and self empowerment. From woman to woman, sharing an unbiased perspective and fighting constant unbalance, be a mentor represent a huge responsibility but also a great opportunity to contribute to a fairer industry.”

Rosaline Yuen: Membership Manager
Q: How do you think male-dominated environments can be more inclusive and equitable towards women?

“It starts with creating an environment where it feels safe to be open and vulnerable—not just in theory, but in practice. Part of that is recognising that not everyone experiences a space the same way. It takes intention: checking in, actively listening with a non-defensive attitude, noticing who’s getting interrupted, who’s being heard, who’s getting opportunities. It’s not just about inviting more women in, it’s about making sure the culture itself is one where people can genuinely show up and feel respected.”

Hannah Buening: Communication Assistant
Q: How are newer generations shaping the roles and opportunities for women in electronic music, and what shifts have you noticed?

“Younger generations have grown up deeply engaged in conversations about gender rights and equality. We are vocal in our expectations for equity in the music industry, tailoring our consumption habits to support brands that prioritize inclusivity. Market trends have shifted to match, pushing brands to be more outspoken about their values and take meaningful action. This has led to greater representation, with more women-led collectives, tailored events, and women and non-binary artists entering the scene.”

Silvia Montello: AFEM Executive Board / Voicebox
Q: How can male allies and industry leaders contribute to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for women?

“By genuinely listening to women’s feedback and concerns, especially if these are around issues of harassment or discriminatory practices, by taking these seriously and to exploring how to address them and effect positive change. This encourages women to feel that they can speak up and speak out safely and builds an environment throughout the organisation of genuine commitment towards equality for all its people.”

Nikki McNeill: AFEM Executive Board / Global Publicity
Q: What’s one piece of empowering advice you’ve received as a woman working in electronic music?

“The one piece of empowering advice I’ve received as a woman working in electronic music is that I am good enough to do it on my own, which prompted me to set up my own PR agency Global Publicity in 2007. I have never looked back since that advice and support gave me the courage to make that decision and I have been running my business for just over 18 years.
It just shows how being the cheering squad for your friends and colleagues can have a huge impact on people without you even realising, so keep uplifting your others and being their cheering squad.”

Trina Smith: AFEM Executive Board / Electric Pineapple Media Group
Q: What one thing you’ve noticed about the current electronic music scene that gives you hope for the next generation of women artists and leaders?

“One of the most inspiring shifts I’ve observed in the electronic music scene is the genuine, grassroots momentum behind mentorship, collaboration, and inclusivity among women artists and leaders. The new generation is fiercely supportive, rejecting outdated competitive mindsets and instead leveraging their collective voices and platforms to uplift one another. Witnessing this authentic sisterhood gives me tremendous hope and confidence that future women leaders and artists in the Electronic scene will thrive, redefine boundaries, and reshape the industry into a more equitable, empowering, and creative space for all.”

Connie Chow: AFEM Executive Board / FUGA
Q: What’s one actionable step the electronic music industry can take to move beyond tokenism and genuinely support women of colour into leadership roles?

“One actionable step the electronic music industry can take is to include women of colour in the actual design and decision-making processes that shape the industry—whether that’s building new royalty systems, developing audience targeting strategies, or designing ticketing platforms. Too often, women are excluded from these foundational conversations, which leads to unconscious bias and systems that don’t serve them. If the industry genuinely wants to evolve and be more equitable, women of colour need to be in the room—not just consulted after the fact, but actively shaping the ideas, structures, and tools that define the future of music.”

5 AFEM Members that provide resources to women in the music industry:

Femnoise: Digital Platform for Women & Nonbinary People in Music, Talent Search Map & Record label

Little Pink Book: Talent Management & Women in Music Network UK & UAE

Change the Beat: Empowering artists with a focus on women and underrepresented voices. Shows & free workshops.

SheSaid.So: Global community of music industry pros & artists, on a mission to unlock the music biz for all through Education, Mentoring & Connection.

BumaStemra- Rise Up Initiative: Empowering women and gender minorities in the Dutch music industry through mentorship, networking, and career development opportunities.