ABSTRACT
This chapter explores women from diverse cultural backgrounds and their leadership roles. It examines the diversity of leadership roles that women have undertaken in global music and the challenges faced by women in musical leadership in non-Western cultures. It interrogates music in cross-cultural contexts and the expressions world and global music which became the marketing blanket term in the late 20th century. It surveys some of the most influential women in non-Western music who have gained international attention for feminist, political and social concerns of women worldwide. It also provides examples of Indigenous women involved in activating Indigenous concerns through their music.
