Interfaith Youth Poster Competition

Violence against women and girls crosses all boundaries- social, political, economic and religious. It happens in every country around the world in alarming prevalence.  On average, 1 in 3 women will face violence in her lifetime.

Religious Youth make up nearly half of the world’s 5 billion religious believers.  For this reason, religious youth have the power and the strength in numbers to raise awareness and bring an end to all forms of violence. This poster competition recognizes that the imagination, ideals and energies of young women and men are vital for increasing awareness and recognition of women’s and girl’s rights. The creativity of youth can help uphold the dignity of women and girls.

Categories: There will be two winners from each of the following regions: Latin America and the Caribbean; Africa; Middle East; Europe, North America; and Asia and the Pacific. One winning poster will be done by an individual and will receive a prize of USD$100.  The second winning poster will be done by a group, and will receive a prize of USD$250.

Religious female and male Youth and Young Adults (15-30) are encouraged to participate!

All Posters must address either one of the following questions:

• How can Youth work together creatively in a multi-religious way (across traditional lines of faith) to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls? 
• Why is religion/faith important in restoring dignity? Why is inter-faith cooperation (working with people of several different religions) important? What value does interfaith cooperation add to efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls?

Guidelines: Individual poster submissions should be approximately 8x12 inches (20x30cm). Group poster submissions should be approximately 22x28 inches (56x72cm). The winning posters from each region will be displayed at the United Nations during the UN Commission on the Status of Women (1-12 March 2010) and presented to the UN Say NO—UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign.  All posters may be used as tools for education and awareness by Religions for Peace and may be posted on the website of Religions for Peace, UNIFEM and the UN Secretary-General.

Submissions:  All posters must be received by midnight (New York/ EST) January 31, 2010. Each entry should include the artist's name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. One to two paragraphs explaining your concept and your poster are required. Only original artwork will be considered.  Posters become the sole property of Religions for Peace once submitted and may be displayed or replicated thereafter.

For more information, please visit www.wcrp.org/initiatives/women/restoring-dignity or contact GlobalWomenofFaith@religionsforpeace.org.

Please send completed posters: 777 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA.