Swaziland: Swazi women in media excel in promoting gender equality

Ezulwini, 9 July: As organisations such Gender Links and other gender activists are pushing the gender agenda, Swazi media women joined hands in saying ‘Yes We Must!’

This was evident in the SADC Gender Protocol Summit award ceremony where a 100 percent representation of women was experienced in the media content category. The media practitioners presented under the print, radio and television sections.

This is one category which Gender Links Board Member Bennedict Bennett felt needed some clarity before the winners were announced. “Under the media category, we have to make something clear first. Not all the entries are from media practitioners. Some are people producing print material on gender issues in their own capacity or personal organisations,” Bennett explained.

Nonhlanganiso Nkosi, a cameraperson at Swaziland Television Authority (STVA) sees the need for more women in the media to defy the norm that media is a ‘male’ zone. She is one of the people women can look up to. She works in a predominantly male arena doubling as cameraperson and producer.

As a person used to be behind the scenes, she stated that the presentations were not a walk in the park for her.”I entered the competition for the first time and having to make a presentation in front of the judges was a nerve wrecking experience for me. I think we really need more women practitioners in the media,” Nkosi said.

Ntfombiyembuso Tfwala, another sole participant who presented in the category of radio complained about the lack of visuals to attract more audience to consume radio programmes. “In radio we particularly use audio, unlike other media forms where they use images. It is difficult to convince the listeners to take the message in radio as they do not see what you talk about,” the radio personality noted.

She said, however, that they try as much as possible to come up with strong and relevant programming that will benefit the listener at all times and also invite experts in different fields to address the issues.

Tfwala entered the competition for her radio programme “Noma Kunje Lisekhona Litsemba” which she produces for the National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA. The program is an initiative to change the misconceptions surrounding HIV and AIDS. “The program gives hope to people living with HIV and AIDS and provides information about the pandemic. It also encourages families to go for HIV testing and counselling through drama plays which are broadcasted as part of the program,” Tfwala said.

The print category was also won by a woman, Lungile Mabuza, who presented on photography. The photo journalist stated that she entered in the print category as she is able to tell her story using a pictures.

“A single picture tells a thousand words, and print media has the power to tell more. I am grateful for the opportunity given to us, as women in the media, by Gender Links. This is an opportunity for me to empower other women to see that we can achieve everything as women,” Mabuza said.
The four participants in the media category acknowledged that they face challenges at their work places as they try to advocate for gender issues. However, this has not been a draw-back for the women as they have taken initiatives to promote gender equality and equity using the media platform.
“Women are nurturers, caregivers, businesspeople, smart; but they always fight to be recognised in society. It is, therefore, time to empower and encourage them in their life changing endeavours,” Nkosi said.

This article is part of the Gender Links News Service special coverage of the SADC Gender Protocol Summits underway across the region, offering fresh views on everyday news