Applications for the She Shapes Biodiversity Photo Contest 2022 are now open. She Shapes Biodiversity is a photo contest that aims to celebrate women’s contributions to the environment and seeks to recognize and amplify the roles and contributions of women that can pave the way for the implementation of a gender-responsive post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

This contest runs prior to the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, also the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 15), this 7-19 December in Montreal, Canada. This timing is to put attention and generate discussion on the need for a gender-responsive global biodiversity framework, with emphasis on a stand-alone target on gender equality (Target 22) in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The proposed Target 22 is key to ensure women’s rights and gender equality in biodiversity governance is duly recognized, respected and pursued in living in harmony with nature.

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Prizes from Shapes Biodiversity Photo Contest

• The top 15 photos will be shown in Women4Biodiversity website and social media accounts. They will also be used and/or exhibited during COP 15 this December in Montreal, Canada, where 196 nations will gather and adapt the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. This framework will guide each nation in their biodiversity policy for the next 30 years.
• Photographers of the top 5 photos will receive 200 Euros each.

Eligibility for Shapes Biodiversity Photo Contest

• No age limit;
• Participant can submit more than one entry, maximum 3 entries;
• Participant can interpret the theme “she shapes biodiversity” in the way they like, though here are some examples to give an idea:
  • Indigenous women’s and local women’s traditional knowledge and practices.
  • Women on the ground – women sustainably using natural resources from biodiversity, conserving, and/or restoring biodiversity.
  • Actions by women environmental defenders, women’s actions and activism for biodiversity.
  • Women engaging in biodiversity policy planning and implementation.
  • Transmission of natural, botanical, medicinal, agricultural, fisheries knowledge and practices from our grandmothers, mothers, and other women.
  • Inspiring photos about characters linked to the environment, about stories whose protagonists are related to the environment (legends, indigenous folk tales, etc.).
• Photo should be in PNG or JPEG format, with a resolution of maximum 10 MB in size and minimum 200 dpi (printing resolution);
• Photo should have a title, with an accompanying story and sharing (minimum 1 paragraph) on why the woman’s/women’s contribution shown in the photo is important. Sharing can also include a poem/verse if this helps convey the message or feeling of the photo. Participant can use English, Spanish, or French for the title and accompanying story and sharing;
• Participant should have the consent of the subject/s. Asking permission at the time the photo was taken is fine. Consent is especially needed when:
  • Subject’s face is identifiable
  • Subject is in a private setting like a ritual or meeting. Permission is needed here even if the subject’s face may not be identifiable.
• Participant retains rights to the photo but allows Women4Biodiversity to use the photo for its communications;
• Winners should provide their Wise account or bank details for receiving the prize money.

Judging Criteria

• Story and relevance to the theme (History and relevance to the topic). The originality in which the relationship between women and the care of nature is presented will be valued. It is here that the photographer will have the opportunity to share local realities with the world in a personal way. The textual description of the photograph will thus be key to understanding the particularities of the situation portrayed.
• Photography technique (Objective reality). Aspects such as the framing, light, white/colour balance, focus or composition of the photograph will be considered as long as the subject in question requires it.
• Artistic approach (Subjective reality). Creativity in capturing the idea behind the photograph will be valued. It is here where the participant shows their particular way of seeing and feeling the world and their distinctive style. Aspects such as the use of colour, movement, the symbolic use of elements such as silhouettes or objects, intentional blurs, and light painting technique will be considered as long as they reinforce the emotional part of the photograph.

Application of Shapes Biodiversity Photo Contest

Participants can submit their photos, stories, and consent form here (1 photo entry in 1 form). Deadline for submission is October 24, 2022 at 5pm UTC.

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Lastly, It is important to visit the official website link found below to access the application form.

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