Launching a Cartoon Competition on Gender Equality

The competition launched today in Viet Nam is part of the international campaign "16 Days of Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls". The latter runs from 25 November until 10 December to bring the message of zero tolerance for sexual violence as well as other forms of violence against women and girls in all over the world.

The contest is co-organized by UN Women, Belgium (Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium and BTC Viet Nam) and the Viet Nam Women's Museum; with the support of Wallonie-Bruxelles International and Thai Airways. The launching event brought together 60 participants including students, artists, bilateral and multilateral donors as well as NGOs and the media.

Art, comics in specific, can be a powerful tool to raise awareness and to trigger positive developments in society. This contest gives a platform to Vietnamese society to picture the positive changes they want to see regarding gender equality.

The competition invites Vietnamese people aged from 18 years, to picture their understanding of women's rights and gender equality through cartoons. More than 10 prizes will be offered. Detailed information on the contest can be found hereunder and on the internet.

Opening the launching ceremony, Ms Shoko Ishikawa, UN Women Country Representative stressed that "Patriarchal attitudes and gender stereotypes contribute to treating women as subordinate members of the family or society. They also affect how women are treated and perceived by public institutions and societal structures. High prevalence of violence against women, the increasing trend of son preferences as well as discrimination in law such as unequal retirement age are manifestations of such social norms. Abolishing negative gender stereotypes is therefore essential to achieving gender equality.

"This contest is a chance for Vietnamese artists to challenge gender stereotypes through illustration of cartoons to illustrate what gender equality looks like" she claimed.

Speaking at the event, H.E. Mrs. J. Roccas, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium said "Belgium is the country in the world with the most paper heroes per square meter. You may know Tintin or The Smurfs. But more than 650 artists practice what we consider as an art in itself. The winner will have the opportunity to share experiences with some of them. The first prize is indeed a study tour to discover Belgium."

"Some cartoons can play an important role in raising awareness. This is why I believe that this cartoons competition will contribute to promoting gender equality in Viet Nam" she added.

Practical information on the Cartoon Competition on Gender Equality:

Deadline for applications: 18 January 2016

Prizes: One First Prize: A study tour to Belgium- the "Kingdom of Comics"

One Second Prize: Wacon Tablet, Belgian specialties and Belgian Comic Books

One Third Prizes: Belgian specialties and Comic Books

In addition, the 10 best drawings will be published and considered for exhibition. Women are strongly encouraged to participate. A special prize will be awarded to the first female applicant.

The three finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony at the Women's museum in Ha Noi in March 2016.

Finalists will be selected by a jury composed of professional comic artists, gender equality experts and communication experts.

More information about the Competition can be found on www.btcctb.org, or Facebook site: http://on.fb.me/1MpgZl6

Or Ms Hoang Bich Thao at hoang.thao@unwomen.org