News / National
Sexual harassment, Zimbabwe journalists launch campaign
04 May 2012 at 06:35hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists on Wednesday launched a campaign in collaboration with the government to eradicate sexual harassment at workplaces with special reference to the media, New Ziana news agency reported.
Addressing guests at a function to mark World Press Freedom Day, Woman Gender and Community Development permanent secretary Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango said sexual harassment has been cited as one of the major factors affecting the performance of women at workplaces.
"Let us put our hands together and fight work-related sexual harassment. The blame game will not help us," she said.
Utete said the country has 17 laws aimed at addressing gender-related problems.
"We want to work with the media to fight sexual harassment because horrific abuses can cause trauma, low esteem and permanent injuries to the victims," she said.
Woman Gender and Community Development deputy Minister Jessie Majome said sexual harassment originated in society where woman were seen as sex objects.
Majome also lamented lack of gender balance in the newsrooms where men traditionally occupied the top positions.
"Women are only one sixth of the work force in the media. As we speak we do not have one woman editor in the newsrooms," she said, adding that sometimes sexual harassment was being perpetrated by other women.
Addressing guests at a function to mark World Press Freedom Day, Woman Gender and Community Development permanent secretary Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango said sexual harassment has been cited as one of the major factors affecting the performance of women at workplaces.
"Let us put our hands together and fight work-related sexual harassment. The blame game will not help us," she said.
Utete said the country has 17 laws aimed at addressing gender-related problems.
"We want to work with the media to fight sexual harassment because horrific abuses can cause trauma, low esteem and permanent injuries to the victims," she said.
Woman Gender and Community Development deputy Minister Jessie Majome said sexual harassment originated in society where woman were seen as sex objects.
Majome also lamented lack of gender balance in the newsrooms where men traditionally occupied the top positions.
"Women are only one sixth of the work force in the media. As we speak we do not have one woman editor in the newsrooms," she said, adding that sometimes sexual harassment was being perpetrated by other women.
Source - New Ziana
