Music on Zim radio is demoralising – Pauline Gundidza

Gundidza, who is among the artists credited for pioneering the urban grooves genre in the country, said some songs flouted women and children’s rights.

“Some of the music you play is very silly and actually violates women’s rights, but surprisingly it gets so much airplay,” Gundidza told New Zimbabwe. “Songs with messages that talk about women and girls’ rights are not being played on radio. The vulgar songs are getting all the airplay and the vulgar artists are getting all the spotlight.

“This is so demoralising. Imagine having put so much effort into a song that can improve the life of local communities...”

Gundidza also implored the government to provide sanitary pads in schools.

“Free pads should be available in all schools and distributed to girls each time they start menstruation when they are at school and the song calling upon the government to do that will be released soon,” she said.

“But we are now appealing to all broadcasters to give these songs airplay, because music appeals to listeners. We are willing to do advocacy songs. We will approach women’s organisations so they can use us as ambassadors to get through to the people through music. Give us the message and we will take it out there. Workshops may not have that impact but music is something that gets into someone’s head and it’s a very powerful weapon.”

Gundidza lamented the lack of commitment by the government to campaign alongside musicians against women abuse.

“We are not being fully utilised, so I am offering on behalf of other fellow female artists to give us the message that we should run with. Whatever the issue affecting women, I can write a song about it every month and release it.

“We have been talking and talking but there has been no change. Let's now try to use music. The issue is not about money. We can still negotiate and meet halfway because we are doing it as sisters.”