‘What men can do, women can do better’

Yvonne Ncube, Showbiz Reporter
The past two weeks were set aside to commemorate 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

The campaign that ended yesterday saw various individuals and organisations rising to address the enduring problem in societies.

Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (Wild) has not been exempted from this crusade.

On Tuesday the organisation conducted a film screening where women of all ages were made aware of their potential and encouraged to fight for their purpose.

With this year’s campaign having been run under the theme, “Orange the world and stop GBV against women”, women were dressed in orange to this significance.

Wild communications officer Bridgette Ndlovu said: “In commemoration of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, Wild decided to conduct a film screening where we brought together young and older women to watch a film titled Hidden Figures.

“This was because we wanted them to understand that as women, there are so many challenges that we go through.

Challenges that relate to gender stereotypes and emotional violence that women encounter when trying to take part in social, political and economic spaces.

“We sought to raise awareness that gender-based violence is not physical violence only, but suppression and oppression are also forms of violence against women.

“In the film, the three main characters Katherine, Mary and Dorothy were constantly facing barriers, but time and again they fought hard to break the glass ceiling. So this is what we want women to do despite the challenges they face.

They should hold hands and fight against oppression and stand up for what they believe in.”

Ndlovu went on to encourage women to be resilient so that they can actively participate in all spheres in society.

“We commemorated the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence this way because we wanted to motivate women and inspire them through the three determined women in the film.

The film is of significance because it mirrors how society is structured. Also because people learn by seeing relatable things.

“As a result of this movie I can safely say what men can do women can do better,” Ndlovu said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Bulawayo Ward 17 councillor Sikhululekile Moyo said despite efforts to address gender inequalities, women are still marginalised in social and workspaces.

“The movie was a reflection of reality. It portrayed how women are segregated and the emotional and psychological abuse they are subjected to simply because they are women.

We see Katherine struggling to find credibility for her contributions in a male-dominated working environment.

“Mary is also overlooked for admission into an engineering school because she’s a woman, but she fights for what she believes in.

Despite efforts to address these gender inequalities, women are still in disguise and neglected higher positions in workspaces because they’re women, their capabilities are in question,” said Moyo. — @SeehYvonne