Staff Reporter
MEN have a critical role to play in facilitating gender equality in the media as the situation benefits both sexes, a United States Embassy official has said.
Briefing a discussion session facilitated by Paradoka a woman’s initiative established to provide a platform for women journalists, Sizani Weza a Media Specialist with the United States Embassy said, “Gender relations are about power and gender equality is a key policy objective of the United States in Zimbabwe in all sectors, no less the media.
“Our support to empowerment programs for women Journalists mirrors other initiatives elsewhere to reduce gender violence as well as empower boys and girls avoid HIV and other social ills. It’s an imperative that calls for greater involvement of everyone regardless of gender.”
Paradoka is an initiative that has been established to provide a platform for women journalists. The session looked at the role of men as allies in facilitating gender equality in the context of feminism.
Weza also used the platform to explain the women journalists program which he coordinated with partners such as the Humanitarian Information Facilitation Center (HIFC) since 2011.
“Gender relations are about power and our work to empower women journalists has navigated through those dynamics to tap on the expertise of both men and women.
“The Ladies Night Program at the Quill is a typical example of how we have tried to include women in predominantly male dominated media settings. We have learnt that men of quality are not afraid of equality,” said Weza.
He added that including men in the campaign for gender equality requires that they understand why participation of women is important.
Asked about the impact of online campaigns such as the #MenAreTrash, Weza said everyone had an obligation to condemn violence and murders.
“There is no excuse for such conduct in any context. However, we have to be careful not to reinforce certain undesirable tendencies especially those that reinforce undesirable traits developed through socialization and cultural practices.
“I guess some men accept that hashtag because it reinforces their masculine ideals. It might work against inclusivity in the long term.”
Meanwhile, the Women in media empowerment program run by the United States Embassy has benefited 45 young women journalists to date and has equipped them with writing and leadership skills training, networking locally and abroad through platforms such as Highway Africa Conference in South Africa.
The initiative has also seen the young women journalists touring newsrooms in Southern African countries as well as offering tuition support for academic studies enabling female media practitioners to earn degrees.
