Gender Equality is now a hot topic around the globe. Every development project now has identified Gender Equality as an important part of the development process. Even in Sustainable Development Goals 2030 agenda, under goal number 06 they have identified the importance of Gender Equality, In order to ensure a sustainable future.
Gender Equality can be defined as the state in which access to rights or opportunities is unaffected by gender. While most people believe that it is an absolute necessity, there are some critics who gets offended and who believes that it is just an exaggeration of the reality and this is not a big problem. This misunderstanding mainly occurs because they don’t have a better understanding to what Gender Equality means or the basics of Gender Equality.
So before anything it is crucial to understand what gender, and Gender Equality is. Sex is the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women. As an example men and women have different reproductive organs and systems, different hormones to regulate body functions.
Gender refers to the term which describes socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities that society considers appropriate for men and women. It is something we have socially defined and built. Gender differences are the differences of the way we as men and women dress behave or act in the society.
There are clear differences between men and women. Out of these many presumed differences some can be real and some are wrong and mythical. There is no argument that men and women are different and are supposed to perform different tasks. But that does not give any of these two parties to discriminate or disregard another part of their rights.
But people often misunderstand that gender equality is all about women. Is it? If then Why? While Gender Equality is definitely not only about women, today we have to focus mostly on women because almost all the time it is women who does not have equal rights or opportunities and it is women who becomes sexual objects or victims of domestic violence. Even though we often talk about women in this topic that does not mean men are not given priority.
It is said that “privilege is invisible to those who have it”. So if we are to make Gender Equality a reality we must take actions to engage the “privileged party” or men in this discussion actively. We have to let them know the problems women has to face in the society and ask them to put on her shoes and take a walk.
Achieving Gender Equality is not only about making women empowered or solving their problems; it is also making the world a better place, strengthening the family and country as well.
iVoice Idea Competition
iVoice is an online platform that encourages youth to discuss social issues and to drive innovative solutions. The platform features stories relating to social issues in Sri Lanka, which are submitted by iVoice contributors and the general public.
The objective of the iVoice Idea Competition is to encourage youth to play a participatory role in solving social issues. After reading a story featured on iVoice, youth can submit their ‘idea’ to help to address the social issue that is highlighted in the story. The ten best ideas will receive seed capital of Rs. 100,000/- each, and mentoring, to support in implementing their ideas.
The majority of articles featured on iVoice relate to a social issue. These stories have a ‘Submit Your Idea’ button at the end of the article, inviting youth to share their innovative ideas on how to address these social issues.
Submitted ideas must be innovative and unique. The ideas must also be practical and implementable by 31 December 2017.
The deadline for submitting an idea is 3 September 2017.
To submit an idea, the following details must be provided through the online form:
Note: Participants can submit any number of ideas; however, only one idea per article is permitted.
Ideas will be evaluated through a competitive process.
03 Sept 2017: Closing of submissions at 23:59 on 3 September 2017
06 Sept 2017: Shortlisting of 20 ideas
13 Sept 2017: Shortlisted applicants to present their ideas in further detail to the judging panel
21 Sept 2017: The ten winning ideas will be announced at the Award Ceremony at which Rs. 100,000/- seed capital will be granted to each of the winning applicants
Evaluation criteria includes creativity of the proposed idea to address the given social issue, and feasibility of implementation within the stipulated budget and timeframe.
The number of votes received per idea will not be a deciding factor.
The judging panel’s decision will be final.
iVoice Idea Competition
iVoice is an online platform that encourages youth to discuss social issues and to drive innovative solutions. The platform features stories relating to social issues in Sri Lanka, which are submitted by iVoice contributors and the general public.
The objective of the iVoice Idea Competition is to encourage youth to play a participatory role in solving social issues. After reading a story featured on iVoice, youth can submit their ‘idea’ to help to address the social issue that is highlighted in the story. The ten best ideas will receive seed capital of Rs. 100,000/- each, and mentoring, to support in implementing their ideas.
The majority of articles featured on iVoice relate to a social issue. These stories have a ‘Submit Your Idea’ button at the end of the article, inviting youth to share their innovative ideas on how to address these social issues.
Submitted ideas must be innovative and unique. The ideas must also be practical and implementable by 31 December 2017.
The deadline for submitting an idea is 3 September 2017.
To submit an idea, the following details must be provided through the online form:
Note: Participants can submit any number of ideas; however, only one idea per article is permitted.
Ideas will be evaluated through a competitive process.
03 Sept 2017: Closing of submissions at 23:59 on 3 September 2017
06 Sept 2017: Shortlisting of 20 ideas
13 Sept 2017: Shortlisted applicants to present their ideas in further detail to the judging panel
21 Sept 2017: The ten winning ideas will be announced at the Award Ceremony at which Rs. 100,000/- seed capital will be granted to each of the winning applicants
Evaluation criteria includes creativity of the proposed idea to address the given social issue, and feasibility of implementation within the stipulated budget and timeframe.
The number of votes received per idea will not be a deciding factor.
The judging panel’s decision will be final.
I agree to the following:
- My story is my own work and does not contain plagiarized material or violate any copyright infringements
- My work is subjected to an editorial committee review that may add, remove, or amend my story, if necessary, to enhance its value
- The editorial committee has the right to decide whether or not my story is published
- My story can be shared or reposted on any other platform that iVoice has partnered or affiliated with at any given instance. However, my identity will be protected
- By agreeing to ‘Allow Ideas submission from iVoice community’, I allow anyone to submit an Idea or solution to my story
- Ideas submitted under my story belong solely to the individual submitting the idea and I will not be held accountable to its content.
- I have carefully read and understood the iVoice Guidelines