LATEST NEWS
Jul 30

UNESCO Publication: Gender Equality Toolkit in Cultural Policymaking by Compendium Expert Anna Villarroya

Category: Publications / Policy Research

Authors: Anna Villarroya & Berta Ollé

Publisher: UNESCO

The Compendium team is pleased to highlight a landmark publication from our long-standing expert author for Spain and Chair of the Compendium Association, Anna Villarroya (Director of CRICC – Centre de Recerca en Informació, Comunicació i Cultura, University of Barcelona), co-authored with Berta Ollé.

Commissioned by UNESCO, the study titled Culture for All: A Toolkit for Gender Equality in Policymaking (Cultura para todas y todos: guía para promover la igualdad de género en la elaboración de políticas) serves as a practical, actionable roadmap for governments, cultural institutions, and policy experts worldwide.

Addressing Structural Disparities in the Cultural Sector

While women represent a majority of students in culture-related disciplines and a substantial proportion of the cultural workforce, significant systemic barriers persist. From underrepresentation in decision-making roles and persistent gender pay gaps to limited visibility, unequal funding access, and gender-based harassment, the cultural and creative sectors continue to reflect systemic imbalances.

This toolkit directly responds to these challenges by reframing gender equality not only as an imperative of human rights, but as a critical driver for sustainable cultural development.

What the Toolkit Offers

Designed to bridge the gap between policy commitment and practical implementation, the guide provides structured support across all stages of the policy lifecycle:

  • Step-by-Step Integration: Clear methodological guidelines for embedding a gender perspective into cultural policy design, execution, monitoring, and evaluation.

  • Targeted Interventions: Concrete strategies and inspiring international practices aimed at narrowing the gender pay gap and expanding leadership opportunities for women.

  • Protective & Supportive Frameworks: Recommendations for addressing online harassment and workplace safety issues affecting female cultural professionals.

  • Institutional Empowerment: Training and awareness-building tools designed for public administrators and civil society organizations.

Access the Publication

The publication is publicly accessible in Spanish, English, and French via the UNESCO Digital Library (UNESDOC):