Mercy Mangwana Nyamhunga, a communication for development specialist, digital storyteller, and film academic from Zimbabwe, strives to make a meaningful impact through advocacy via journalism and storytelling.
Journalism and advocacy are powerful tools for shedding light on critical social issues, yet they often come with challenges, especially for women in the field.
Journalism and advocacy are vital tools for addressing critical social issues, but they often come with unique challenges—particularly for women in the field. As we reflect on the recently concluded 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Mercy shares her insights on the significance of personal safety, the art of impactful storytelling, and actionable strategies to amplify voices during campaigns like the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
She also advises young women aspiring to enter the journalism and media sectors, emphasising the importance of dignity, sensitivity, and ethical storytelling when reporting on stories that profoundly affect lives.
Here are her reflections on the obstacles, strategies, and inspirations that shape her journey as a journalist and advocate for change.
1. Have you ever faced any form of violence, harassment, or intimidation while pursuing a story or working on advocacy projects?
Yes, I have experienced it. Violence against women is a pandemic, and women in advocacy and media often encounter it. I trained in the safety of journalists, so when faced with these challenges, I have always called them out, reported them when necessary, and stood up for myself. The good thing is that the organisations I have worked with have implemented numerous protective measures for women and established clear reporting structures to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
2. What strategies do you believe are most effective for journalists in amplifying the voices of survivors and promoting actionable change?
There are many resources and platforms for advocacy, but nothing surpasses the power of personal stories and humanising figures and statistics. Sharing statistics alongside clear calls to action is essential because I believe reporters are there to amplify the voices of the voiceless and help call for justice.
3. From your role as a Bosch Alumni regional coordinator and founding member of Internet4Good Africa Initiative, what best practices have you observed globally that could be adopted in Southern Africa to protect journalists?
The best practices that I have observed globally are in-house safe spaces and counselling services where reporters feel comfortable and have consistent access to debriefing with professionals. It is also essential to ensure very protective policies and have periodic training and refresher sessions on harassment, safety, and reporting. Above all, constant training on how to cover violence against women and safeguard survivors through partnerships with organisations working to end GBV (gender-based violence), such as UNFPA, is crucial.
4. What advice would you give to young women entering journalism and film who may face barriers or fear working on sensitive topics like gender-based violence?
It is our duty to amplify these stories, and we should not be afraid to tell them simply because we are women, as it can happen to any of us. However, the important thing is to ensure that one maintains human dignity when addressing such sensitive subjects while capturing the key issues and ensuring that survivors are not retraumatised.
