ZMC working on sexual harassment policy

Audrey Galawu

Zimbabwe Media Commission chairperson, Professor Ruby Magosvongwe on Thursday said the commission is working together with the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers Women in News organisation to put in place a sexual harassment policy to curb the violation against women in media.

Speaking at the launch of the WAN-IFRA Women in news, the Zimbabwean Chapter at a Harare hotel, Professor Magosvongwe said the issue of sexual harassment of women in newsrooms is a concerning issue that needs an urgent solution.

This follows complaints raised during the event whereby women were disgruntled against the rampant sexual harassment, especially of female interns in the hands of their male seniors.

“We are working towards introducing a sexual harassment policy with the assistance of WAN-IFRA specifically for the media industry.

“We also propose a court specifically for the industry for violators such that there are no delays for prosecution.

“I urge women to come forward when they face such violations and no woman should suffer in silence,” she said.

Many female journalists have forced out of newsrooms due to sexual harassment.

According to a 2020 research carried out by WAN-IFRA with focus on Zimbabwe and other African countries, 56 percent of women said they experienced verbal sexual harassment at least once while 38 percent stated they had experienced physical sexual harassment at least once.

The participants also stated that organisational barriers, fear, lack of evidence, indifference are some of the reasons why they do not report sexual harassment among other reasons.

Meanwhile, Gender Media Commission National Director, Patience Zirima stated that women have become more prone to violations on online platforms.

“For women, there is second level of violation, and most of the times it’s simply because you are a woman. Wen face bullying, harassment, forced sex, cyber stalking, embarrassing content, slut shaming, death threats and sextortion which has mostly affected the young journalists who are coming into the newsrooms.