17 Zim-women journalists receive leadership certificates
MIRROR REPORTER
HARARE – Some 17 female journalists from newsrooms throughout Zimbabwe have received leadership certificates after going through a nine-months training programme sponsored by WAN-IFRA.
The certificates for the Women in News Leadership Accelerator Programme were handed over to the successful grandaunts by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services at an alums Conference held at a Harare hotel a few weeks ago.
WAN-IFRA’s Women in News Deputy Executive Director and Director for Africa, Jane Godia, graced the occasion. She said the programme aims to create a level playing field between men and women in the media and ensure that more female journalists rise to management levels.
“The vision is to create a level playing field for both men and women. Our mission is to see women in leadership positions in the media industry increase. That is why we equip them with strategies, skills and support networks.”
Some organisations whose female journalists participated in the programme are Masvingo Mirror, The Herald, Manica Post, Sunday Mail, AB Communications and Newsday. Some of the participants were freelance journalists.
The names of the journalists are Elizabeth Mashiri, Patience Musa, Zandile Ndlovu, Mona-Lisa Dube, Mary Mundeya, Mercy Ngwenya, Melisa Chatikobo, Margaret Chinowata, Unique Zimuto, Rumbidzai Ngwenya, Sinikiwe Marodza, Wadzanai Mandima, Valerie Piano, Elita Chikwati, Irene Kalulu, Blessing Dube and Gamuchirai Gonye.
“I want to congratulate those receiving certificates today after an intensive nine months in Leadership Acceleration Programme. I hear the programme is quite intense and demanding,” said Mutsvangwa
The Leadership Acceleration Programme is open to women journalists and editors working in Africa. It started in 2010. To date it has more than 60 Zimbabwean female journalists have gone through the programme.
Journalists and editors in the programme acquire new skills and capacity building through coaching, training, mentoring and networking.
Godia said the Alums conference brought together women in the media industry to speak with one voice to celebrate each other and assist others to a rise.
Mona-Lisa Dube, a graduate from ZiFM, said she enrolled on the programme when she was just a reporter. Through coaching and training, she rose until she became the head of the station.
Mary Mundeya from News Hawks said the programme came when she was not productive for her organisation. The mentorship and coaching helped her rise. She is corresponding with nine local and international organisations besides opening her online publication.
