OPEN CALL This is Gender (In)Equality - free submissions

Gender inequality marks one of the most pervasive and persistent patterns in the distribution of power. We see evidence of this, nearly invisible and overt, everywhere. Billions of women still lack the same legal rights and equal economic opportunities as men. The COVID-19 pandemic has widened inequalities, including by decreasing male life expectancy and negatively impacted women’s career progression and financial security. Wars, famines and natural disasters have had more severe impacts on the well-being of women. And Global Health 50/50’s research shows that male leadership pervades in organisations active in global health.

This paints a bleak picture of gender equality in 2023. Can we reframe and reimagine gender equalities and inequalities through visual media - and envision what it means to be human and to be equal?

Moments of true equality exist - how can we capture them and enable these moments to flourish?

The This is Gender (In)Equality Open Call aims to collate diverse representations of gendered power, relationships, and experiences, from the intimate private space of the household to the highest levels of political decision-making. 

Building on the foundation of two successful photography competitions This is Gender 2020 and This is Gender 2021, our third edition aims to be the most inclusive yet. In 2023, This is Gender (In)Equality is accepting all forms of still visual media including for example mixed-media photography, illustration, drawing, painting, collages or new media. 

The This is Gender (In)Equality open call is an opportunity to showcase varied perspectives and experiences of gender equality/inequality. We invite submissions from the artistic community and from health workers, activists, journalists, researchers and feminists from around the world. Gender equality matters. For every person. For every place. 

Themes and Launch 

This year's call for submissions is oriented around four themes;

i) Gender (In)Equality and health;

ii) Gender (In)Equality at work;

iii) Gender (In)Equality & planetary health; and 

iv) Gender (In)Equality & sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)

The Open Call remain open until 23 April 2023.

Selection

This is Gender (In)Equality 2023 is an image collection that explores gendered equalities and inequalities through photography and visual media. The key question is, what does Gender (In)Equality look like to you? We are interested in the story as much as artistic merit. Shortlisted entries will be decided by a panel of international experts in photography, visual culture, gender and global health and will gain global exposure.