Yahoo Finance BAFTA’s Global Membership Diversity Survey Reveals Women, LGBTQI+ and Minority Ethnic Backgrounds Under-Represented
BAFTA’s global membership survey has revealed women, LGBTQI+, people with disabilities and those from minority ethnic groups are severely under-represented in its ranks.
The compulsory survey is the first to include all BAFTA members across the globe. Its aim is to identify areas of under-representation and then address them, in order to ensure the organization becomes as diverse, inclusive and representative as possible.
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The survey revealed:
37.4% of current members are women
12.2% are from minority ethnic groups
9.7% are LGBTQI+
5.3% have a disability
In response to the results of the survey, BAFTA has announced it plans to invite 1,000 new members from under-represented groups over the next two years. It has already made some progress towards this, having invited 635 new members over the last 12 months, of whom 53.3% are women, 33.1% are from minority ethnic backgrounds, 7.5% have a disability and 13.6% are LGBTQI+.
BAFTA has vowed to reach the following targets by 2025: 50% women, 20% from minority ethnic groups, 12% disabled and 10% LGBTQI+.
“BAFTA has set membership targets to reflect our vision for a more inclusive organisation and industry,” said BAFTA chief executive Amanda Berry OBE. “While there is more work to be done, the demographic of our latest intake of members demonstrates that we are making progress to ensure our membership is more representative of society, and confirms our commitment to address areas of under-representation within our membership.”
In a letter to members published Friday, BAFTA chair Krishnendu Majumdar said: “BAFTA has had to adapt, too, not only to the events of the last year but also by being unequivocally proactive in order to remain relevant to our industries and audiences. BAFTA has committed to use its influence to drive a more progressive and inclusive industry culture, one that is representative of the world in which we live and enables all those with creative talent to thrive in a safe and respectful environment.”
In his letter, Majumdar also wrote of his distress following two British newspaper reports falsely claiming he had “close links” with disgraced actor and director Noel Clarke. Majumdar has been awarded an apology and damages from The Times of London and Mail Online.
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