From the Curator’s Desk
Greetings, friends:
This week’s newsletter is continuing the tradition of inviting members of our community to write From The Curator’s Desk, and for this edition, I’m happy to hand it over to my colleague Cynthia Adongo, who’s Communications Associate at Baraza Media Lab.
Please send your guest writing pitches for this section to chris@barazalab.com if you’re interested in being our guest curator on the newsletter, and you have something of interest to share to our community — a trend you’ve noticed or something you’d like us to think about.
~ Christine
This week, a social media report uncovered an incident that occurred at Browns Foods Co, a Kenyan company, where female employees were subjected to a deeply invasive and degrading experience. The incident involved the forced undressing of female employees in an attempt to identify the individual responsible for disposing of a sanitary towel in the wrong bin. In an official statement on their website, Browns has expressed its commitment to addressing the incident appropriately and swiftly.
Such actions not only violate the personal boundaries and privacy of employees but also reflect a disturbing disregard for human rights, workplace ethics, and gender equality. Every workplace should prioritize the creation of safe and inclusive environments that uphold the dignity and well-being of all employees.
The human rights movement is almost entirely based on the fact that human beings have to constantly remind other human beings that they are indeed human, and should be treated as such. It is disheartening that the Browns incident is not one of its kind, as violations at the workplace continue to occur in various industries across the world.
Employers and managers play a crucial role in cultivating a workplace culture that is built on sensitivity, respect, and empathy. All employees have the right to privacy, bodily autonomy, and freedom from any form of harassment or discrimination.
In this regard, companies must establish clear policies and guidelines that explicitly prohibit any actions that violate these principles, ensuring that employees are aware of their rights and the procedures to report any grievances or misconduct. This applies to all organizations — workplace bullying and discrimination ironically occur even in institutions where one would expect a strong commitment to human rights ideologies.
It is essential that incidents like the one at Browns Foods Co are not swept under the rug or forgotten. By addressing these issues head-on, implementing comprehensive policies, and fostering a culture of respect and equality, we can create workplaces where all individuals feel safe, valued, and empowered. Let us use this incident as a catalyst for positive transformation, ensuring that no employee, regardless of gender, is subjected to such degrading treatment ever again.
In the meantime, here’s:
- What We’re Reading: Girlhood, a nonfiction book by Melissa Febos. The reviews understate how incredibly moving this book is: it’s a chronicle of the “terrible and exquisite depths of girlhood”.
- What We’re Watching: It’s been a while since I recommended a movie here, but I just watched The Menu, a chilling take on foodie culture.
- What We’re Listening To: The Inverse Podcast. In the words of hosts Jarod McKenna and Drew Hart, “Inverse belongs to the ones who are dissatisfied with the Bible being used to justify hatred.”
As always,
Christine Mungai
Curator | Baraza Media Lab
Story Sosa | An Experiment in Live Storytelling
Story Sosa is only two weeks away, and early bird tickets have already run out!
Our inaugural edition will feature five meticulously crafted stories, painstakingly researched and written like traditional magazine features, coming to life through an innovative blend of animation, music, and photography.
Be prepared to have your perspectives transformed: you’ll hear how monkeys play into our understanding of sci-fi; a story that touches on how houses shrink when we get older, and how samosas are so much more than triangular pockets of goodness.
Date: 22nd & 23rd July, 2023
Get your tickets here!
Semabox | Wazo Launch Event
Semabox is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of Wazo, a revolutionary podcast distribution platform. Wazo aims to drive discovery and monetization for Kenyan creators, providing a dynamic space for their voices to be heard.
Date: 12th July, 2023
For more information, click here.