Bright future for young female journalists

Kudzai Muchenjekwa

The emerging generation of young female journalists has potential to unlock gender spaces within newsrooms and media space.

This potential can only be realised if the gap between veteran female journalists and female student journalists is bridged.

This came out of the speed mentoring session for young female journalists hosted by the Gender and Media Connect in partnership with the Canadian embassy recently.

The session, which was held to commemorate World Press Freedom Day, brought together veteran female journalists and female student journalists, who received guidance on how they can navigate their way in the media industry.

Speaking at the event, Canadian Ambassador Christina Buchan said this was a platform for intergenerational connection.

“It’s all about creating that intergenerational connection for women because women’s leadership will change the gender equality realm,” she said.

“Women helping women means that we have more women in the future.

“So connecting senior women to help younger women to come up and join their ranks means we will have a better Zimbabwean female leadership in the future because they are building their own networks.”

She said there was a great future for the women in the media industry.

“There is a future for female leaders in all categories.

“I have been really impressed with the female leadership I have met in Zimbabwe in all sectors.

“There are really great female journalists and I think they are the best fit to reach out and connect with the junior female journalists and build that relationship, collaboration and mentoring for them to move forward.”

Sexual harassment was one of the major topics under discussion during the session.

The student journalists said they are facing sexual harassment whilst on attachment.

Gender and Media Connect national director Abigail Gamanya said: “Women with experience volunteer to mentor as a way of giving back.

“These seasoned journalists can help the young ones with ways they can fight sexual harassment because they cannot do it alone.”

They need their big sisters in the industry to help them fight and stand together.”