Tinomuda Chakanyuka (in picture 1) describes himself as “a 31 year-old man, employed as a news reporter by the Sunday News newspaper, a weekly publication from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.”
“I have been practicing as a journalist since 2008 and have thus gained considerable experience in the field. Over the years I have developed a keen interest in gender issues, particularly articulating them from a cultural anthropological perspective, where I seek to unpack the intrinsic cultural practices and prejudices and the extent to which they influence the prevailing gender dynamics. It is my strong conviction that my experience can be further enhanced and my career improved, by taking part in this training programme”, he says.
Hellen Owino is an Advocacy Officer for the Study of Adolescence. She says, “my current work is focused on adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health, while studies I am pursuing are focused on public health. My work involves working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, inter-sexed, queer (LGBTIQ) groups and young women groups living in informal settlements.”
“There are knowledge and skills gaps to design and implement programmes that adequately address the issues faced by these groups. I believe the course will, to a large extent, add on to my knowledge and skills acquired on gender transformation and women empowerment will add on a great deal to my personal growth and enable me deliver better at work”, she adds.
And Ncumisa Sopazi, from South Africa, works with Sonke Gender Justice. “Being part of this training will help me draw more knowledge from those who are involved in policy advocacy and those working in communities to reduce and end gender-based violence. It will also help me learn how to engage with male masculinities as a female, as I believe working with men and boys to foster gender equality and human rights has unique challenges”, she says.