Female journalism students urged to join newsrooms

Sunday Mail Reporter

FEMALE journalism students have been challenged to look for placements in newsrooms in order to address gender inequalities in media workspaces.

Speaking during an empowerment workshop for female media students organised by the University of Zimbabwe last week, The Sunday Mail Editor, Victoria Ruzvidzo, said budding female journalists should claim their rightful place in the media sector.

“The newsroom is not a comfortable place, if I must say, especially if you don’t know what you are doing,” said Ruzvidzo.

“Already, we live in a patriarchal society and when you get into the newsroom, you will find that it is very hot.

“It takes courage from people like you to get in.”

She encouraged upcoming journalists to work hard to get recognition for their work.

“I have been in the newsroom for 30 years and I can tell you that it was not all rosy. But if you have determination, then you will make it work. You will get in there and survive. If there are men in the newsroom, why not us as well?

“You need to tell yourself that you are going to be daring; you need to disrupt the systems and go for it,” she added.

Plan International communications specialist Mrs Vimbai Chinembiri said good communication skills are a prerequisite for success for all female journalists.

“There are certain skills that are required for one to be a good journalist, which include your personality, and you need to be a good networker,” she said.

“These soft skills are also very important because they will take you places.

“I have friends who ended up becoming nurses after doing journalism, and they are good nurses because they have the communication skills,” she said.

University of Zimbabwe journalism student Bridget Mavhimira commended the institution for organising programmes to equip students with appropriate media skills.

“Being given the opportunity to meet female industry gurus like Victoria Ruzvidzo is a great honour because we will not only learn the theory side, but also the practical side of journalism through their experiences,” she said.