By Michael Gwarisa
In a bid to strengthen media capacity on survivor-sensitive reporting of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and child marriages, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC), in partnership with Population Solutions for Health (PSH), hosted a half-day editors’ training workshop in Harare.
The workshop drew participation from editors and senior media managers representing leading media houses including the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), the Zimpapers Group, AB Communications, Alpha Media Holdings, HealthTimes, and The NewsHawks, among others.
Speaking at the event, ZGC Chairperson Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe highlighted the importance of engaging media leadership to influence newsroom practices and ensure that coverage of GBV and child marriages is both factual and sensitive in tone and framing.
It is an honour to welcome you to this historic occasion — the first-ever Editors and Commissioners interface — a significant milestone as part of the ZGC’s 10th anniversary commemorations,” said Mukahanana-Sangarwe.
“This gathering marks a new chapter in our ongoing journey to foster strategic partnerships with the media and other key stakeholders in promoting gender equality and advancing the rights of all Zimbabweans,” she added.
The training also served as a platform to explore ethical considerations and responsibilities in reporting issues that directly affect survivors, particularly women and girls, and to align media efforts with national and international frameworks on gender justice and human rights.
PSH Director – Social Marketing, Kumbirai Chatora, said there were still gaps in how Zimbabwean media reports on sensitive GBV and sexual abuse cases.
“We believe that the media plays an important role in raising awareness on GBV, drug and substance use, and child marriages. We did a quick survey on how the media is reporting on these issues. However, we observed that most of the time, journalists focus on sensationalism and fail to address the root causes,” said Chatora.
She added that the media can play a critical role in challenging harmful practices such as toxic masculinity and traditional norms that perpetuate GBV, rather than merely pursuing sensational content.
“We feel that you, as editors and media leaders, can empower survivors of gender-based violence and promote positive masculinity. Journalists have the power to amplify the voices of survivors — such as those of GBV — and shift public perception, transforming these issues from private matters into urgent public concerns, especially intimate partner violence which often happens behind closed doors.”
Chatora also highlighted that PSH is currently implementing several programmes to address GBV, child marriages, and drug-induced mental health challenges. These include the Love Shouldn’t Hurt campaign, Give Me A Chance, and the Strength is in You anti-drug campaign.
Meanwhile, Mr. Njabulo Ncube, the Zimbabwe Editors Forum (ZINEF) National Coordinator, said a multi-stakeholder approach is needed to end GBV and sexual harassment across all sectors, including the media.
“The fight against gender-based violence and sexual harassment is not a women’s issue. It is a human rights issue. GBV and sexual harassment remain pervasive across industries, including the media sector,” said Mr. Ncube.
He noted that the media reflects broader societal inequalities, and sexual harassment in newsrooms continues to silence female voices despite the presence of workplace policies meant to address the challenge.
“Sexual harassment in the media affects women and silences their voices. As editors — and yes, as men — we must take responsibility for changing that narrative. Male engagement starts with awareness and includes understanding the lived experiences of our female colleagues,” said Ncube.
