Arts Views with Thabani H Moyo
THIS week the world celebrated Women’s International Day. This is a day that has been set aside to celebrate the fairer sex for the love that it exudes into the world. Women are an epitome of everything creative. As the world celebrates Women’s International Day it is time for Zimbabwe’s creative sector to reflect on the position of women in the sector. It is vital as this year’s celebrations come at a time when the world has been negatively impacted by Corona Virus.
Matabeleland region boasts of one of the finest women role models when it comes to the creative industries. Some of the women who have made an impact in the sector include the Television Drama and Film producer Thoko Zulu, founder of Bhayisikopho Film project Priscilla Sithole, the musicians Sandra Ndebele and Nkwali, the owner of Fingers Sarah Mpofu and the poetess Sithandazile Dube among others. These are women who continue to shape the creative industry on behalf of women. As the region celebrates these women there are some fundamental questions that need to be answered.
Is the environment that women artists operate in safe? Are women artists on the same footing with their men counterparts when it comes to competing for resources? Does the creative sector have enough opportunities to promote women artists?
Close to 60 % of artists in Zimbabwe are hustlers. Their activities are done informally. Every day they are on the prowl for the slice of the cake. Very little activity in the arts is done formally. It is in this environment that women artists find themselves today. The idea that most of the business is done informally in the creative sector means that most women who operate in it are engulfed with some sense of insecurity. It is this insecurity that makes most women artists hesitant when it comes to looking for opportunities. Those that brave themselves and go for it end up labelled.
Most of women artists who get involved in projects are usually hired on short term contracts. This is frustrating because it means that when the contract is done they will have to start all over again to hunt for other opportunities. Even when they get these contracts there is little or no job security as they can be fired at any time.
Women by their nature like to be comfortable and secure. However it will appear as if the current environment in the creative sector has little comfort to offer. Sometimes women artists find themselves working for little and no pay at all. The creative sector currently doesn’t pay much if it pays at all.
It is a fact that most women artists face gender discrimination and sexual harassment while they are on duty. The patriarchal nature of communities militants against women artists. Women artists are viewed as having loose morals and hence you find that they encounter a lot of sexual harassment while they are at work. This has even led to a situation whereby most women artists disappear from the sector once they get married. A few have continued to keep doing what they like in the midst of criticism.
Most arts associations, groups and arts institutions have few women who occupy positions of influence. This means that decision making is still a preserve for their male counter parts. Decisions that are made continue to reflect little when it comes to interests of women in the arts.
To level some of these challenges in the sector there is need for women artists to deliberate support their kith and kin. Women must speak with one voice and fight against the vices that they continue to face in the creative sector today. It is time women artists pulled their ideas and resources together and came up with sustainable programs that are initiated by women for women by women. Women artists need to be self-confident. Women artists must celebrate their talent and skills every day not once in a year.
Views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own.
