Comedian Jacinta Ocansey has opened up about experiencing discrimination in the creative arts sector due to her gender.
During an interview on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z with host Kwame Dadzie, the stand-up comedian and actress revealed instances where she was offered lower pay compared to her male counterparts solely because of being a woman. Jacinta shared that she had turned down roles in the past upon learning that her male colleagues were receiving significantly higher compensation for the same project.
“In our industry, the discrepancies are glaring. I’ve had conversations with colleagues where I’ve realized I was being offered GH¢5 while others were getting GH¢10,” she explained. “I’ve declined offers before because I knew others were being paid more. I always negotiate for fair pay, and if it doesn’t meet my standards, I quietly reject the offer.”
Jacinta also highlighted instances of unfair treatment, including being denied opportunities with one event organizer citing women as “difficult to manage.”
She expressed frustration at the industry’s tendency to measure women not by their qualifications and abilities but by their gender. “It’s a misconception that being a woman makes things easier in this industry. In reality, it’s tougher,” she stated. “How many women have to compromise their integrity to get ahead?”
Jacinta’s candid revelations shed light on the systemic challenges faced by women in the creative arts sector and underscore the urgent need for gender equality and fair treatment in the industry.
