The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Business Correspondent
SECRETARIES and personal assistants should retain professionalism and stand strong against Gender-based violence and sexual harassments in workplaces.Speaking at this year’s secretaries’ convention which was attended by secretaries and personal assistants from organisations in Mutare and Harare at Montclair Hotel in Juliasdale last week, ZNCC Manicaland and Chiredzi regional manageress, Ms Perpetual Guwila, said gender-based violence against women at work stations affected mental and physical health, and security. GBV is defined as violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women in its forms that result in, or are likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts and coercion in public or private life.
“There are so many forms of abuse, these include issues like repeated insults, ridicule, or name calling, repeated threats to cause emotional pain, possessiveness that leads to invasion of privacy, security, liberty or integrity of the complainant and any act of violence which when done in the presence of minor, children in the household or family will cause them mental harm. According to studies of gender based violence, it is a cycle that leaves many victims in a never ending web. A victim will be trapped inside leaving helpers without an option to assist,” she said.
Other topics which were covered during the event include, networking challenges for women, enhancing assertiveness skills in workplaces, deportment, improving communication skills and customer care.
The two-day event ran under the theme: “Bringing Economic Transformation as administrators”. Ms Guwila added that they also incorporated secretaries and personal assistants from Harare to enable them to build synergies and interact with local ones as they seek to diversify the program.
“It was a unique yet successful convention where we dedicated more time to recreational and interaction. Mental health for secretaries in companies is an essential component for service delivery. We strongly believe after this retreat, the secretaries will go back to their respective organisations with new strategies on how to conduct their duties effectively and professionally.”
Last year’s convention was held at Forest Hills in Vumba.
