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

[Katalin Fabian]

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

Information about the contest is also available at
http://www.wworld.org
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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Rules:  Submissions must be previously unpublished personal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 pm (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.


Location: Worldwide
Deadline: May 1, 2003
Website: http://www.wworld.org