A recently published report has shed light on the pervasive nature of sexism within the whisky industry, spotlighting concerns raised by women working in the sector. The report delves into issues ranging from sexual harassment and gender stereotyping to the gender pay gap, shedding light on the challenges that women in the industry continue to face.
The “Do You Even Like Whisky?” survey, conducted by Our Whisky Foundation, encompasses insights from approximately 600 women across the globe occupying roles in various aspects of the whisky industry, including events, operations, retail, and office-based positions.
Key Findings of the Survey:
87% of respondents expressed that women working in the whisky industry confront more hurdles in their professional journeys compared to their male counterparts.
The most substantial challenge, identified by 84% of participants, revolves around unconscious bias.
The gender pay gap emerged as a concern, with 47% of participants highlighting this issue.
Sexual harassment was noted as a significant challenge by more than one-third (39%) of the surveyed women.
The survey indicated that 81% of women in the whisky industry have been questioned if they genuinely enjoy whisky, either at work or while making purchases.
Notably, 89% of respondents agreed that the perception of whisky as a drink for men persists among consumers.
For 67% of participants, this masculine stereotype adds complexity and difficulty to their professional roles.
The Foundation acknowledges that the survey did not quantitatively capture men’s experiences in the industry.
Moving Forward with Addressing Sexism
Our Whisky Foundation founder, Becky Paskin, emphasized the need for the whisky industry to genuinely address the issue of sexism. She stated, “While the whisky industry appears to be taking steps towards inclusion and better representation, this survey clearly shows women feel they aren’t supported enough. It’s time the industry sits up and really listens to women’s voices. These instances of sexism and discrimination are very real for women working in whisky and cannot be ignored. The industry needs to take this issue extremely seriously.”
To combat this systemic issue, the Foundation has outlined several areas for businesses to concentrate their efforts, including promoting more women’s representation in marketing, enhancing training initiatives, and conducting company-wide pay audits.
