By Veronica Kafumphe:
The Times Group staff have been trained in the prevention of sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace.
The training is part of an ongoing media gender parity programme the giant media organisation has with Gender Links, which is utilising support from Canal France International (CFI).
The programme is raising awareness on sexual harassment and promoting gender sensitive reporting among journalists.
Speaking during the session, Gender Links facilitator Josephine Chinele said it was important for media houses to enforce equality in the workplace.
“As platforms for national debate, media houses need to lead by example in implementing policies that promote gender equality, equal access to opportunities and safer work environments for all,” Chinele said.
She then said the training would assist staff in recognising behaviours that undermine gender equality, apart from ensuring good reporting mechanisms in cases of abuse.
“There are many things that people have normalised in the workplace such as the use of inappropriate language, touching and other forms of nonverbal harassment, issues which the training sought to address,” she said.
In his remarks, The Times Group Editor-in-Chief Pilirani Kachinziri said such trainings were important in a diverse workplace like the media giant’s.
Kachinziri said the training also complemented efforts by The Times Group to establish a respectful and inclusive workplace where all employees feel safe and valued.
“We have a comprehensive Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy that provides support for victims and ensure that they can report incidents without fear of reprisals.
“We are, therefore, grateful to CFI for providing us with this training, which served as a good refresher for The Times Group, which is one of a few media organisations in Southern Africa to benefit from this programme,” Kachinziri said.
The Times Group is among four local media houses that are participating in the project, with four of its journalists having produced several gender-related stories.