Fri 26 February 2010, 9am

The Mannenberg, Harare

 

ALL WOMEN PERFORMING ARTISTS of Zimbabwe are invited to attend the inaugural general meeting of a new association to represent Zimbabwean women artists – the ‘Association of Women in Performing Arts in Zimbabwe’ (AWIPAZ), at The Mannenberg, Fife Ave Mall/6th Street, Harare, on Friday 26 February from 9am.

 

Born out of a workshop for women artists from the disciplines of music, poetry, theatre and dance in 2007, the establishment of AWIPAZ is in response to a call for a national representative body.  The workshop identified a lack of knowledge of the performing arts industry beyond the stage, but also revealed the capacity and determination of women artists to survive and succeed.

Since then, Harare arts organisation Pamberi Trust, through it’s gender programme FLAME (Female Literary, Arts & Music Enterprise), has taken responsibility to nurture this vital development.  Pamberi Trust has facilitated consultative meetings with 134 women artists from all 10 provinces of the country, in cooperation with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, inviting their input and participation to develop a constitution which will serve their needs.

 

In Zimbabwe, like many other countries, there are few women in leadership positions in the performing arts industry.  This has been given rise to by several factors which include patriarchy, gender dynamics at play and limited knowledge levels among women artists.  It has not only seen the conspicuous absence of women in leadership positions but has also resulted in initiatives by women not being fully recognized, or not progressing because of the lack of capacity on the part of some female artists. 

The primary objective of AWIPAZ is to develop the capacity of Zimbabwean women in performing arts and enhance their true participation in the building of an arts industry which provides enough space and support for them to grow and succeed.  In pursuance of its objectives, AWIPAZ will recognize and uphold principles of gender equity and equality, support and commitment, equitable distribution of responsibilities, continuous learning, respect for women’s rights, and respect for every person’s dignity.

Harare artists who have already shown their commitment by reaching out to their provincial counterparts, include Dudu Manhenga, Selmor Mtukudzi, Edith Katiji, ERS Muchemwa, Theresa Muchemwa, Kessia Magosha, Batsirai Chigama, Aura Kawanzaruwa, Tariro Ruzvidzo Carmen Hwarari, Clare Nyakujara and Penny Yon.  Women artists in each province have already met to select representatives, and forty women from around Zimbabwe will converge on Harare to attend the Friday 26 February meeting, to plot the way forward for the emerging association.

 

Zimbabwean gender activists Cleo Ndlovu and Judith Chiyangwa have played a key role in guiding the startup of the association, lending to women artists their valuable time and experience.

 

Pamberi Trust operations manager Ian White, said: “It is groundbreaking work which will go down in the history of the arts in Zimbabwe, and we invite all women artists to support the new development”.    

 

While Pamberi Trust will continue to be supportive and facilitate training, AWIPAZ will be a national body registered independently with the Arts Council.

 

All women artists are urged to attend the meeting at The Mannenberg, Fife Ave Mall (upstairs), corner Fife Ave and 6th Street, Harare, on Friday 26 February from 9am.