The election of Donald Trump in 2016 brought issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality to the forefront of public consciousness. This led to a wave of women coming forward with their experiences of harassment and abuse, including in the film and TV industry. The #MeToo movement, which gained momentum in the wake of these revelations, highlighted the pervasive nature of gender inequality and sexual harassment in the entertainment industry and beyond.
In response to these revelations, there was a growing demand for action to address gender inequality and sexual harassment in the film and TV industry. One such response was the Six Point Plan, which was announced by Screen Ireland (formerly the Irish Film Board) in December 2015 and implemented in 2016. This policy sought to achieve gender equality over three years, with a key strategy being a 50/50 gender equality target in funding.
The Six Point Plan was an innovative and groundbreaking policy that recognized the need to address the systemic barriers to gender equality in the film and TV industry. It aimed to increase the representation of women both in front of and behind the camera, and to create a more inclusive and diverse industry. The policy was broadly welcomed as a much-needed intervention in a male-dominated industry.
In April 2018, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) followed suit and published its Gender Action Plan. This plan aimed to address gender imbalance in broadcasting in Ireland and to ensure that women’s voices were heard and represented across all genres and formats. Like the Six Point Plan, the Gender Action Plan included a 50/50 gender equality target in funding.
The connection between these policies and the wider cultural context is clear. The #MeToo movement highlighted the systemic nature of gender inequality and sexual harassment, not just in the film and TV industry, but across society as a whole. The response of Screen Ireland and the BAI to this issue shows how cultural institutions can take meaningful action to address these issues and promote gender equality. By implementing policies that aim to increase the representation of women and other marginalized groups, these institutions can create a more inclusive and diverse culture that reflects the full range of human experiences and perspectives.
Greater diversity and inclusion in the film and TV industry can lead to more nuanced, complex and varied portrayals of characters and stories. It can help to challenge stereotypes and promote greater understanding and empathy between different groups of people. It can also create opportunities for underrepresented groups to have their voices heard and to participate in the cultural conversation.
The games industry has historically been male-dominated, and progress towards promoting diversity and inclusion has been slower compared to other creative industries like film and television. However, there are initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in the games industry. For example, some game development studios have established diversity and inclusion committees, and some organizations have launched funding programs that prioritize games made by marginalized creators. The IGDA Foundation, Fair Play Alliance, Games for Change Festival, Amplifying New Voices program, and Black Game Developers Fund to name a few.