[Reader-list] Announcing A Writing Contest: Women's Voices In War Zones

[Harsh Kapoor]

ANNOUNCING A WRITING CONTEST:  WOMEN'S VOICES IN WAR ZONES


Since Sept. 11, 2001 there has been constant public reference to 
 concepts of terror, war, and security, but little debate about their 
meaning, which differs from place to place and person to person.  And 
the voices of women and girls, both within the US and in the rest of 
the world, have been conspicuously absent from the discussion.  

To bring forward women's ideas on this subject, and enable them to be 
heard in the public arena, Women's WORLD, a global free speech 
network of feminist writers,  is initiating a writing contest which 
will be co-sponsored by the The Nation Institute, whose mission is to 
defend freedom of expression and strengthen the independent media. 
The subject is Women's Voices in War Zones.  

Eligibility:  All women are welcome to participate; age and 
citizenship are no barrier.  We are particularly interested in seeing 
work from writers, activists, students, and immigrants or refugees. 
 Rules:  Submissions must be previously unpublished personal essays 
of 1000 words or less, in English, that address one or more of the 
following questions:

What does the term "war zone"  mean to you?  Do you live in a war 
zone or state of terror?  Is it personal or public?  Who is or are 
the aggressors?  How do you resist?  What keeps you going?  Where 
does your hope or security lie?  How do you imagine bringing this 
 terror to an end?  Does your government or society or family provide 
you with security or is it a source of  your unease?

We will read only one entry per person.

All entries must also include either a one page vita with contact 
information, or a short biographical statement with the writer's full 
name and contact information: mailing address, phone or fax numbers, 
and email address.

Submissions can be sent by email to the following address: ratna 
@wworld.org; or by fax or post to Women' WORLD, 208 w. 30th St., 
#901, New York NY 10001.  fax 212-947-2973.  Email submissions are 
preferred.  Deadline:  Submissions must be received by 5 p.m (Eastern 
Standard Time) on May 1, 2003.   Winners will be announced in early 
June.

Prizes:  Prizes will be given to women in three categories: 1) 
residents of the US; 2) residents of other countries; 3) immigrants 
or refugees in any country. There will be three first prizes of $250, 
and three second prizes of $100.  Winning essays will be published on 
the The Nation website and the websites of Women's WORLD and its 
affiliates; announced to the press; and circulated to global email 
lists. Copyright:  By sending us an essay, contestants automatically 
give Women's WORLD the right to publish it in any form and to license 
others to do so, whether or not the essay wins a prize. Judges:  The 
judges will be a diverse panel of three established writers.

--Meredith Tax, President
Women's WORLD
208 W. 30th St., #901New York NY 10001
Tel. 212-947-2915
Fax: 212-947-2973
Email: wworld at igc.org or meredith.tax at verizon.net
http://www.wworld.org
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