The Dutch music industry is still dominated by men, and female songwriters earn an average of a third of what their male counterparts are paid, figures from performing rights society BumaStemra show.

Just 16% of all professional musicians are women, based on the society’s membership figures, up just 3% percentage points compared to eight years ago.

Fees paid out to women have gone up. The average income of the 100 highest female earners went up by 70% over the same period, but their male counterparts’ average income is still three times higher.

Singer/songwriter Roxy Dekker’s hit Sugardaddy was the most streamed hit in the Netherlands last year, but even then the songwriting credits included two men.

A survey carried out by knowledge institute Movisie last year also showed showed that many female musicians had experienced sexual harassment.

BumaStemra said it is taking action to ensure women do not leave the music industry or are discouraged from taking part at all. “Music is the ideal reflection of society. If certain groups are structurally underrepresented we miss important stories, insights and creativity,” BumaStemra director Marcel Gelauff told the Volkskrant.

The organisation has initiated the Rise Up diversity programme aimed at strengthening women’s position in the industry by offering networking opportunities, highlighting female role models and organising writing camps for women.