FNF indaba tackles gender inequality in newsrooms
YOUNG journalists have been urged to speak out against sexual harassment in their workplaces as Government steps up efforts to foster gender equality.
Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said during the 2023 Gender Media Conference on Friday.
The meeting was organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF).
“Under the Second Republic, it is our responsibility to empower women in the media and broadcasting services industry with the requisite knowledge and experience for them to be able to flourish in the media sector,” he said.
“But the most important question that we have today is: How do we achieve gender equality?
“How do we secure gender mainstreaming? “And how do we cap or liquidate sexual harassment?
“And how do we empower women in the media and broadcasting services industry with the requisite knowledge and experience for them to be able to flourish in the media sector?
“But at the same time, how do we secure career development in the context of human capital development?”
He said sexual harassment remains the biggest challenge for women in journalism.
“Under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, the first and most important constitutional right that will manage to make sure that no one is above the law in terms of journalism is to ensure that the rights and freedoms of journalists are protected, defended and advanced in the context of the Second Republic.
“Those are constitutional issues. “They are sacrosanct and at the same time, the Constitution is the supreme law in this country.
“So, it makes sure that journalists’ constitutional rights are respected.”
He said to entrench freedom of journalists, Government had enacted the Freedom of Information Act, which allows journalists access to any Government information.
Government, he said, had set up the Zimbabwe Gender Commission to support gender equality in all sectors of the economy.
Dr Muswere also officially launched a book titled “Coming out of the Shadows”, produced by FNF, which was compiled and edited by Zimbabwe Independent editor Faith Zaba, who is also a facilitator of the FNF programme that addresses challenges faced by females in the media industry.
Speaking at the same event, Harare deputy mayor Councillor Kudzai Kadzombe said:
“We desire to see the media working towards establishing structures that recognise gender diversity and equality.
“We yearn to see a gender-friendly media where the opportunities for female journalists are recognised.”
FNF programme manager Ms Fungal Sithole said more needed to be done to protect female journalists from sexual harassment in newsrooms.
The event ran under the theme “Breaking the glass ceiling, re-imagining media freedom”. Officials from different sectors — including Parliament, the Zimbabwe Media Commission, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists — offered mentorship to young journalists during the conference.
The mentors urged them to show commitment and work towards the attainment of gender equality in the media sector, as well as promote media freedom.
The FNF women mentorship programme seeks to prepare and mentor young journalists working in newsrooms while addressing gender disparities in influential positions within the media sector.