Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
INTWASA Arts Festival koBulawayo is joining forces with the Zimbabwe Musicians Union (ZiMU) to host a “Gender at Work Campaign Conference” on September 25, as part of the festival’s 21st-anniversary celebrations.
Set to take place at The Bulawayo Club, the conference will spotlight critical conversations around gender equity, creative empowerment, and inclusive leadership in Zimbabwe’s arts sector. The event promises a day of engagement featuring panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking sessions aimed at fostering collaboration across artistic disciplines.
“This initiative directly responds to needs identified during our nationwide ‘Musician as a Worker’ campaign. Consultations across all 10 provinces highlighted the urgent need for dedicated gender-focused research, campaigning, and training.
“This conference is a vital step in advancing decent work standards, aligned with ILO and UNESCO principles,” stated ZiMU.
For Intwasa, Zimbabwe’s oldest multidisciplinary arts festival (running September 24–27), the conference underscores the festival’s commitment to social impact beyond the stage. The 2025 edition features major attractions, including the 21st-anniversary presentation of Ipi Ntombi, a school’s poetry competition, and a comedy night featuring Mbongeni Ignatius and Frank Chirisa.
“This dynamic initiative is a collaborative effort between Intwasa Arts Festival and ZiMU, aimed at amplifying discussions on gender equity, creative empowerment, and inclusive leadership in the arts. Panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions are designed to spark cross-disciplinary collaboration,” said festival organisers.
By leveraging Intwasa’s platform, which celebrates music, film, spoken word, theatre, dance, literary arts, fashion, and crafts, the partnership seeks to create a more equitable and empowered future for all creatives in Zimbabwe, making gender equity a central theme in this milestone year. – Follow updates on X @MbuleloMpofu
derick.khumalo