International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed globally every year on 8 March. The theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March 2022 (IWD 2022) is, “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, recognizing the contribution of women and girls around the world, who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.

Advancing gender equality in the context of the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21^st century. The issues of climate change and sustainability have had and will continue to have, severe and lasting impacts on our environment, economic and social development. Those who are amongst the most vulnerable and marginalized experience the deepest impacts. Women are increasingly being recognized as more vulnerable to climate change impacts than men, as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on the natural resources which climate change threatens the most.

At the same time, women and girls are effective and powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation. They are involved in sustainability initiatives around the world, and their participation and leadership results in more effective climate action. Continuing to examine the opportunities, as well as the constraints, to empower women and girls to have a voice and be equal players in decision-making related to climate change and sustainability is essential for sustainable development and greater gender equality. Without gender equality today, a sustainable future, and an equal future, remains beyond our reach.

The theme for International Women’s Day is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 66^th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66): “Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes”.

Additional information related to the United Nations Observance of IWD 2022 will be made available on UN Women’s website closer to the date. The hashtags for social media will be #IWD2022, #InternationalWomensDay, #BreakTheBias, #GenerationEquality.

Every year UNDP Nepal organizes several events and programmes to mark IWD drawing together people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate global achievements, agitate for change and raise social awareness for equality for the women and girls around the globe. This year UNDP Nepal will mark the day involving the students from grade 8-12. The programme will include Poetry Competition (Third Edition) on #IWD2022 theme. The primary target students are from the government/public schools and schools led by women Principals.

The main objective of the competition is to conscientize the young students and children to create opportunities for them to speak their mind and recognize the contribution of women and girls around the world, who are working to change the climate of gender equality and build a sustainable future. Furthermore, to motivate for their commitment towards “sustainable tomorrow.”

• To reflect on the status of women and express opinions and concern
• To raise their awareness regarding the leadership role played by women specifically on climate issue
• To encourage students to creatively express their ideas through poems
• To develop oratory and creative skills amongst the students

The Poetry Competition is based on the theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”

1.    Provincial level Poetry Competition based on IWD 2022 theme on 1 March 2022

(Possible Topics: Women leadership and climate change, gender equality for sustainable development goals, women for climate resilient societies, Women and Environment etc.)

2.    National level Poetry Competition based on above topic on 8 March 2021.

The public schools which are identified either as model schools by the Government of Nepal, or other schools led by women Principals from all seven provinces of Nepal. They will be encouraged to allow their students from grade VIII to XII to submit their poems in accordance with the specific objectives of the competition. The interested schools to participate in the competition must fill the online registration (Registration Form Link) and the organizer will select seven schools on first come, first serve basis. Accordingly, the invitation and concept note will share to seven selected schools.

The participating schools will be responsible to provide the name of the one best poet from grade VIII to XII from their respective schools to the respective UNDP Field Offices, to participate in the virtual Provincial level Poetry competition.

The Provincial Level poetry competition will be organized by UNDP Field office virtually and/or hybrid on 1 March 2022 from 10:00 hours to 13:00 hours tentatively. The three best poets from each province will be selected, and one of the best poets recommended by the jury from each province will enter the National level Poetry Competition.

 UNDP Field Offices will be responsible to coordinate with their respective schools from their respective provinces in coordination with UNDP.

The National level poetry competition will be organized by UNDP Nepal virtually on 8 March 2022 from 10:00 hours to 13:00 hours tentatively. In the finale round the three best poets will be awarded.

The competition will be live through UNDP Nepal Facebook.

• Theme for Poetry Competition: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” (Possible Topics: gender equality for sustainable development goals, women for climate resilient societies, Women and Environment etc.) The complete list of topics will be given to schools right in the beginning.
• Poetry will be based on self-composed content.
• Languages for poetry can be any preferred language (Nepali, English, native language)
• Each candidate will be allotted 5 minutes.
• Decision criteria will be based on provided the students poetry recitation on the topic given:

                                i.            Content of the Poem

                               ii.            Expression and Body Language

                              iii.            Articulation

                              iv.            Diction

                              v.            Delivery & Style

                             vi.            Innovation

●       Jury’s decision will be final and binding all candidates.

• UNDP Nepal office is responsible to select esteemed Jury for the Country-wise Poetry Competition. (Recommended for three members in Jury: Ministry, Women Deputy Mayors/ Leaders, Poets, Authors etc.)
• UNDP Nepal office will have sole discretion on the selection and appointment of judges for the poetry competition.

All the participants will receive the e-certificate of appreciation. The jury will also receive a token of love.

The top three best poets will be awarded.

The best poems will be posted in UNDP social media and websites.

 Zoom Meeting invite will be sent through UNDP Nepal Office

Invitation is open to all the participating schools and students.

The UNDP reserves the right to compile the poem audio and videos into a compendium for publication and/or public dissemination for no profit and without notice to the authors.

The participating schools should ensure that

1. The participating students who are minors will need at least 1 parent/legal guardian to sign a permission slip related to the submission of private data.
2.  The students over 18 years must provide consent for themselves on issue of data privacy.
3.  A Code of Conduct for judges.
4. For the code of conduct of debaters, their parents will have to sign as well.
5. Use of Image / Livestream Consent form for the students and judges.
6. We will need scanned copies of a form of ID of a parent from each debater who is considered a minor in their respective countries.

UNDP CO to ensure the parent and child consent form is signed prior competition.

The competition is only open to the students from Grade VIII to XII of Nepal, either from the public model schools and or other public schools that have been identified by educational professionals and are led by women Principals. The selected participants should provide duly filled online form which will be shared by UNDP Nepal CO.

The Poetry Competition will be moderated by UNDP Nepal CO.

The participant can choose any preferred language i.e., Nepalese, English, or any native language.

The UNDP Nepal office is responsible to arrange language interpreter/translator and sign language interpreters during the event.

 Please scan this QR code or go to this link to participate.

https://forms.office.com/r/WaAhURLTbp

ZOOM links

Concept Note in Nepali is HERE