MORE than half of women involved in piping and drumming in Scotland have experienced sexual discrimination, a new survey has found.
The poll of some 300 women musicians with experience in piping, which was commissioned by The National Piping Centre, also found that one in four (26%) reported that a senior or respected member of their piping and drumming community had used or tried to use their status to take advantage of them due to their gender.
A similar number (24%) “strongly agreed” that they had personally experienced behaviour they considered to be inappropriate during a piping or drumming event.
More than half of those who have quit (52%) piping and drumming said their gender was a factor in the decision. The same number, 52%, of women surveyed said they experienced sexism within their piping and drumming community.
The research was designed by The National Piping Centre (NPC) in collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Piper Ailis Sutherland said: "Having grown up in the scene as a girl and young woman, these findings don’t surprise me. I see the piping and drumming scene in Scotland as a reflection of our society so when fewer women are around, the challenging behaviour, dynamics and systems we navigate in everyday life, are mirrored in piping and drumming spaces.
"What is a comfort, however, is to have witnessed some notable and credible change in my lifetime as a piper. Many of the examples that come to mind are ‘firsts’, not just for me, but for my peers and our parents, who have been in the piping and drumming scene for decades.”
The National Piping Centre pointed to two new initiatives, The Maket Collective and The Stand Project, which aim to “promote more equality, diversity and inclusion and take meaningful steps to help create a safer and more inclusive piping and drumming community for all”.
Finlay MacDonald, the centre’s director, said: “No matter who you are, piping and drumming should be accessible and inclusive to all. These survey findings show that there is more work to be done to make that a reality and, armed with the important findings from key voices across our community, we aim to make short and long-term positive changes for everyone in piping and drumming.
“I would encourage the entire piping and drumming world to get behind these new initiatives and support us in our mission to enrich lives through piping.”
The Board of The National Piping Centre said: “The National Piping Centre, as the centre of excellence for our national instrument, places equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of its strategy. We are proud to have commissioned this valuable piece of research.
“The report states that we will be responding to key findings as part of our ongoing work. And these two new initiatives – The Maket Collective and Stand campaign – clearly signal our support and encouragement for everyone who wishes to be part of our world-wide community of pipers and drummers.”
The Maket Collective is inspired by the “first named piper in history”. Lady Maket lived in Egypt over 3000 years ago, and was found buried along with her pipes by archaeologist Flinders Petrie in 1889.
The Maket Collective is an online community showcasing videos, photos and event information about the six ambassadors in a central online hub.
The Stand Project aims “to reach into community spaces to provide support and create dialogue around diversity in the piping and drumming community”.
