In a sign that even countries that are gender-equal champions do not escape this scourge, a thousand Norwegian musicians and singers complain of rape, assault and harassment in articles published in the press today. "Shame and guilt must return to where they belong: to those who commit harassment and to those who protect them," 295 singers said in an article published in the newspaper Aftenposten. In a separate appeal, 706 women musicians emphasize that "there is no reason to believe that the music environment is better here, even in 'the country with the most equal citizens in the world'."
Norway is the second largest country in the world in terms of equality among its citizens, according to a recent report by the World Economic Forum, which focuses on wage inequality and the position of women in politics and economics. The northern countries monopolize the top of the list, with Iceland leading first, Finland third and Sweden fifth. In addition to the articles, Aftenposten publishes many anonymous testimonies of female artists narrating violence, pressure and sexual humiliation they have suffered.
"In Oslo, I was the victim of an attack by someone I was dating," admits a musician. "I thought, like everyone else, that it's normal, it's not worth it to keep going." "During (.) My career, I received incessant comments about my appearance and my sexuality," says one singer. "I received countless sms from colleagues who wrote about my appearance and nothing about the work I did." The reports come after a similar move by more than 500 Norwegian actresses last week.
In neighboring Sweden, nearly 2.000 musicians have also reported sexual abuse. The mouths have been opened almost everywhere in the world after the revelations aimed at the famous American producer Harvey Weinstein, who is accused by one hundred women of harassment or sexual assault.