Stand-up comedian and actress, Jacinta Ocansey revealed in an honest conversation, about the prevalent gender-based discrimination she has faced in the creative arts sector, shedding light on instances where she received lower compensation compared to her male counterparts.
During an interview on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z with Kwame Dadzie, Jacinta recounted turning down roles after discovering significant pay discrepancies between herself and male colleagues for the same projects.
“I mean our industry is so small that I could pick up my phone and call my colleagues and say, ‘Guy, how far, these people are calling, have they called you? So what figures are we playing with so that we all appear to be on the same page? And then I realised that okay, I’m being offered GH¢5 and offering other people GH¢10,” shared Jacinta.
Expressing her refusal to accept undervaluation, Jacinta disclosed how she has declined offers when she felt unfairly compensated, stressing her commitment to negotiating for equitable pay.
The comedian also highlighted instances of unfair treatment, including being denied opportunities, with one event organizer allegedly citing women as “difficult to manage.”
Jacinta emphasized the injustice of women in the industry being judged not on their qualifications and abilities but solely based on their gender.