HARARE – Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) is set to revise its 2012 sexual harassment policy after a recent sensitization and training workshop exposed significant shortcomings in awareness, enforcement, and reporting mechanisms within the organization. The workshop, facilitated by Gender Media Connect (GMC) and supported by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC), highlighted a pressing need for updated policies and a cultural shift to better protect employees.
Held on June 19, 2025, at AMH’s Harare offices, the session engaged 14 staff members from its newspaper division and Heart and Soul TV. The ZGC provided crucial legal context, emphasizing their mandate in handling harassment complaints and discussing various reporting avenues, including anonymous suggestion boxes – a system previously discontinued at AMH due to misuse.
Participants critically assessed AMH’s current policy, which, despite being posted internally, was largely deemed outdated, poorly enforced, and not understood by newer staff. Key issues identified included a lack of ongoing training, absence of formal induction for new hires, mishandling of reports, breaches of confidentiality, inadequate victim support, and the exclusion of senior management from training, who were perceived by some as contributors to the prevailing culture.
Discussions also delved into the nuances of sexual harassment, with staff sharing local expressions like “wakabatana” and “shedia” as examples of normalized subtle harassment.
In response to the identified gaps, AMH has committed to a comprehensive review and update of its sexual harassment policy in collaboration with GMC and ZGC. Future plans include developing structured induction programs and regular refresher sessions, ensuring inclusive sensitization that involves senior leadership, reintroducing trusted confidential reporting mechanisms, and exploring the appointment of a dedicated gender champion to advocate internally and provide support. GMC and ZGC will continue to provide technical support to AMH throughout the implementation process.
