THE Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has introduced an anti-sexual harassment draft validation policy to fight the vice at workplaces.
ZMC deputy chairperson, Commissioner Jasper Maposa, said the commission had to step in following a spike in reported cases of sexual harassment in the media sector.
“We have taken significant steps in ensuring that human rights are promoted, protected, fulfilled and enjoyed by the Zimbabwean citizens, the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides for measures to achieve sub standing (sic) equality in terms of addressing gender dynamics and issues," Maposa said.
He added that the policy spoke to lived realities in the media industry.
"The media place has its own unique challenges with regards to sexual harassment, which should be addressed towards the creation of a safe workplace for the media practitioners,” he said.
“It is within this committee as well our commission and the government that we view sexual harassment as a serious violation of human rights, sexual harassment at work has serious implication for women.
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“They are usually the target who have experienced a range of negative consequences including physical and mental health problems."
ZMC executive secretary, Godwin Phiri, urged media houses to adopt the policy.
“ZMC has taken it upon itself to facilitate the process of developing a sexual harassment policy which we hope if adopted by stakeholders, can then became a standard which can be used across all media houses,” Phiri said.
ZMC secretary Academy Bvumayi Chinamhora said every media house should adopt the policy within six months. The policy was unveiled at a workshop in Bulawayo yesterday.