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| Gender Forum Discussion |
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| News - The Book Cafe |
| Thursday, 10 December 2009 11:22 |
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The Book Café, Fife Ave Mall (upstairs) Tuesday 15 Dec 2009 – 5.30-7pm WOMAN to WOMAN: for better understanding Speakers: Roxanne ‘Xapa’ Mathazia, Zanele Manhenga, Carmen Hwarari, Nonku ‘Blackbird’ Vundla and Larry Kwirirayi Chair: Sally Dura Women performing artists are often perceived – by other women - to be dangerous competitors for the attention of men, and who purposefully set out to attract and seduce male audiences for their own benefit. Such beliefs are often misconceptions, which are damaging both to the reputations and careers of these women artists, and to good relations between the two groups of women. The damage may include boycotting of shows, gossip which destroys the image of the artist, and can even extend to refusal to spend money on CDs of women artists who are seen as a threat, and banning of the music in the family home. The image is extremely damaging to their careers, and will only serve to hold Zimbabwean women artists back from developing to their full potential and making a meaningful contribution to the nation. More than anything else, such attitudes against women in the arts rip apart the fabric of society, creating distrust and divisions in the powerhouse of our nation – it’s women. In fact, the art of performance and stagecraft skills demand that a performing artist on stage should be attractive, endearing, welcoming, appear to be friendly and accessible in the course of delivering a song, for example. She has to be beautifully dressed and deliver a great performance in order for people to continue to pay money to watch her or buy her CD. That is her profession. She is doing her job. Off stage, she must balance her performance with reality, and in so doing there are many struggles she faces. The Gender Forum discussion on Tuesday 15 December will hear from women artists who are single, single mothers and married women, who will share some of their experiences to bring light to the situation and make a start towards better understanding between women of Zimbabwe in 2010. All women (and men!) are invited to a platform which has been specially created by Pamberi Trust at The Book Cafe to facilitate the interaction, development and advancement of women in Zimbabwe society. The discussion is free, and all are welcome. ENDS Pamberi Trust |