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Ropafadzo Ndangariro Herald Reporter

Women should support each other in all spheres of life to improve their lot.

This was said by different speakers during the Zimpapers Masterclass High Tea held in Harare over the weekend. The speakers emphasised that women could only rise if they supported each other.

NetOne marketing and public relations executive Dr Elderette Shereni said there was need for women to be each other’s keepers.

“It is sad that we are our own enemies, we must be there for each other, be our own keepers, we are complex creatures, wise and innovative,” said Dr Shereni.

“We must come together so that we are able to stand tall to take on the world and become global leaders.”

She said that there was need for women to erase the mentality that they are the weaker sex, which was impeding their progress as leaders.

“We have been stereotyped for too long as weak people who are not qualified to be leaders,” she said.

“We must prove that we are defined by our capabilities and talents, we are not weak. We must challenge the notion that this is a man’s world because it’s not. We are lagging behind men because we choose to.”

Seed Co public relations manager Ms Marjorie Mutemererwa, who gave a testimony of the challenges she faced after the death of her only child Richard Rugube, said women needed to be brave in the face of the challenges they face in their lives.

She said that the challenges would, however, be more bearable if women supported and inspired each other.

“I have my own story; I used to have one child, but he was electrocuted and passed on.

“It is very difficult to lose a child, but I was brave. I’m not fierce, I need sympathy, but I don’t need pity,” she said.

“We have to be brave and to be able to motivate and support each other as women. Let us not speculate over each other’s problems, it’s wrong and tantamount to witchcraft.”

“There was a lady from Glen View whose child was also electrocuted. I helped her because when someone goes through what you went through, you understand their situation.

“In such a situation you need to follow up and be your sister’s keeper. Let us be there for each other. When one of us is down, we need to encourage her so she does not give up,” said Ms Mutemererwa.

Zimpapers group public relations executive Ms Beatrice Tonhodzayi urged female journalists to be each other’s keepers by writing positive stories about other women.

“Let’s build a new narrative and support each other; let’s write positive stories. Women outside the media fraternity must make sure that they have good relations with members of the media so that they are catapulted to higher levels,” she  said.

The event, which ran under the theme “I’m My Sister’s Keeper”, was in recognition of the International Women’s Month. It brought together women from different backgrounds under one roof to share their experiences.