Sweden holds world's first major 'women only' music festival

Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A “cis man-free” festival has been held in Sweden, in response to a string of alleged sexual assaults at the country’s biggest music festival.​ The Statement music festival in Gothenburg claims to be the world’s first major music gathering for women, transgender and non-binary people only. open image in gallery Women attend the Statement Festival at Bananpiren in Gothenburg, Sweden, on August 31, 2018 Bravalla festival 2018 was cancelled after widespread sexual assault cases at the event in 2017 and 2016. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up British band Mumford & Sons, who were on the bill in 2016, said they would not play the festival again until they had assurances that fans would be protected. “We won’t play at this festival again until we’ve had assurances from the police and organisers that they’re doing something to combat what appears to be a disgustingly high rate of reported sexual violence.” Ms Knyckare said the #MeToo movement had unveiled “serious problems” in Sweden, which is one of the most gender equal nations in the world, at festivals and also several institutions.