Zimpapers Logo

Chronicle Reporter
Chronicle correspondent Andile Tshuma has won a top African gender reporting award at the 2021 edition of the African Gender equality awards.

She was awarded the best African gender equality journalist award under the Economic Justice rights category.
Kenya’s Elizabeth Angira came second.

The awards were held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Tshuma and other scribes joined the event virtually owing to Covid-19 related travel restrictions.
Tshuma’s winning article was on how sexual harassment in workplaces limits women’s economic participation and how it violates economic justice and rights.

The awards are organised by the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) and are meant to recognise the role of the media in championing gender equality across Africa.

In her acceptance speech, Tshuma called for journalists to continue reporting on gender in order to help improve the lived experiences of women and children in Zimbabwe and globally.

“This was quite unexpected but I’m very grateful for this recognition of my efforts in contributing to the gender conversation.

The gender story should not die and as gender reporters, we must not tire until Sustainable Development Goal number 5 on gender equality is achieved. Many thanks to FEMNET for bringing us all together as African journalists and many thanks to my newsroom, the Chronicle for all the support and the lessons learnt,” she said.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, FEMNET head of communications Ms Rachel Kagoiya said the media was an important vehicle for championing gender equality in Africa.

“Journalists have the power to amplify and tell untold stories. We should honour them for being able to connect with the women on the ground, to ensure that decision makers have a full picture of what is happening in our communities.

You have positioned stories from different people’s experiences, stories that have implored policy makers to have conversations that have brought change. May this spirit of such journalism continue and may younger journalists be mentored in news rooms to carry the work forward,” she said.