16 Days of Activism Initiatives: Song Competition to stop gender-based violence and promote gender equality and women and girls empowerment

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1 16 Days of Activism Initiatives: Song Competition to stop gender-based violence and promote gender equality and women and girls empowerment Background Gender Based Violence (GBV) remains a major threat to the security of women and children throughout the country. Despite the many development milestones in various areas, the country still faces serious challenges in ensuring that the human rights of its citizens are protected. Violence against women and girls in Liberia has been on the political agenda since Since then, significant efforts have been made by the Government, International Partners and Civil Society to change the unacceptable violence, particularly domestic violence, which is a silent but deadly epidemic that is gradually undermining the peace and security of women. Violence against women and girls has been deeply entrenched in Liberia s social and cultural landscape and remains a much-debated topic, politically. It was rampant during the nearly 13 years of civil crisis that Liberia experienced in which Gender Based Violence was accepted an inseparable part of the conflict and used as a weapon of war. Women and girls continue to be discriminated, marginalized against, sexually violated and disadvantaged in every sphere of the Liberia society. This results in, denying them their basic human rights, freedom and access to opportunities and services. Despite efforts being made to change this immensely unacceptable level of violence, particularly sexual violence, the fight to end SGBV continues unabated with more sexual violence cases being reported daily, mostly in rural and urban settings where the vulnerability of women and girls remains particularly high. The Efforts to revive the protective mechanisms that individuals, families and communities had typically provided remains slow, at the same time increase the exposure to situations in which there is a risk of violence. In Liberia, the Government and the United Nations are implementing a Joint Programme on Sexual and Gender Based Violence that seeks to address the escalating cases of SGBV and cultural practices affecting women and girls. It targets women and girls, boys and men residing in communities, villages and towns through a comprehensive community driven program which seeks to change perceptions and attitudes towards women and girls as well as strengthen systems that address violence being perpetrated against women and girls. This programme

2 contributes towards the strengthening of social cohesion and safety of communities by utilizing existing mechanisms, protection and social services which are essential for eliminating violence against women and girls. Proposed Activity: Song Competition The Song Competition is aimed at using the universal language of music, to encourage the participation of musically talented people in the creation of songs that are captivating and impactful in sending a strong message by using people s talent writing and knowledge on gender equality and women s rights in Liberia. Liberians will be invited to participate in this Song Competition and be a part of the upcoming launch of the 16 days of Activism, starting on November 25 th, Given the importance of this advocacy campaign, this Song Competition may also be used for publicity through traditional media and communication means such as social media on various online platforms (i.e. Facebook, Tweeter, etc.); advertisement campaigns in local press and radios as well as others future events linked to the UNiTE Campaign. Overall Objective The overarching objective of this activity is to create an environment highlighting the role and civic engagement of all Liberian citizen (i.e. women, men, girls and boys) to do more to eliminate all forms of violence in Liberia and support the previous and current efforts made in the country to achieve the global objectives on gender equality and women s empowerment. Specific Objectives Music, being a universal language, will be used here as a tool of education/communication leading a commitment drive for communities to sing and express their commitment and dedication to end all forms of violence against women and girls. The main idea is to have a song sang in a way that ordinary people can relate to and that conveys/expresses an inspiring message of non-violence in the hope of a more equal and peaceful Liberia. Furthermore, this initiative will encourage talented artists/singers to pledge to use their influence to inspire the end of all forms of violence against women and girls. Roll out of the Song Competition Women, men, girls and boys, elderly or young Liberian will be invited to express, by using the mean of music, their hopes, concerns and thoughts on building a safer future for women and girls in Liberia. It is expected to that a high number of people will submit their recorded audio file (with Lyrics) on the / WhatsApp group that will be created by the online music platform TunesLiberia.com. 2

3 TunesLiberia.com which has been identified to work on such initiative to facilitate the platform for submission of audio files and casting of votes. The winner of this competition will be awarded of $1000 along with several opportunities such as a live performance in front on the President of Liberia and all his invited guest from government, civil society, donors and other partners during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism on Sunday 25 th of November Moreover, other opportunities include performing at similar events that will enable the winner s voice to be heard by the regional audience. Potential evaluation criteria The songs shared by the participants will be evaluated in terms of their creativity, originality, composition, simplicity but also on the basis of: Lyrics: The quality of the lyrics will be evaluated depending on the content, emotional appeal, relevance, rhyme of words, etc.; Audio: The quality of the audio will be evaluated depending on the rhythm, flow, tone, emotion, etc. and; Vote: To qualify in the final shortlist of winning songs, candidates must submit an audio file that is clear, concise, that has a catchy rhyme, adequately speak to the issue, empowering and can creates general awareness among communities on gender challenges in Liberia. Voting system for Songs TunesLiberia will provide with the platform on which songs shared by participants (via the and WhatsApp group created for the event) will be uploaded. A Jury composed of members of key institutions, will be constituted to listen to all the submitted songs and select the top 2 songs Main Prize and consolation prizes The winner will be awarded of $1, in cash along with other opportunities such as: Live performance in front on the President of Liberia and all his invited guest from government, donors, civil society, and other partners during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism on the Sunday 25 th of November 2018; Exposure and the opportunity to have the song heard by the most influential decision-makers at the regional level (West and Central Africa); Studio recording and promotion on radio programmes. The runner-up will be awarded of $500 in cash. 3

4 Rules of the Song Competition The winner will have the opportunity to perform an innovative song establishing an emotional connection between Liberian communities and the UNiTE campaign theme. The terms and conditions may be as follow: The Competition is open to all citizens of Liberia only. The theme is Ending Violence Against Women and Girls but could also be about "Gender Equality and Women Empowerment" and Leaving No One Behind. Duration of the songs should not be more than four (4) minutes. The songs must be in English and the lyrics must be provided. Singers can have some words in their dialect. To give uniformity to submissions and ensure that the song remain on the indicated theme, participants can use some of following key words in their song(s): 1) Gender equality 2) Empowerment of women 3) Violence free environment 4) Women and girls rights 5) No more victims 6) Women s access to justice (No more impunity for perpetrators) 7) It is everybody s responsibility 8) School/education to prevent violence against women, adolescents and children All the songs must be submitted online on the / WhatsApp group indicated by TunesLiberia.com None of the songs must contain any provocative, objectionable or inappropriate content. Multiple submissions by the same participant are allowed. Solo and duos can compete. The participants must be the same person who made the submitted song and therefore plagiarism would not be allowed. Their song must be original. By registering for participation in the competition, contestants warrant that their song(s) is/are original and does/do not violate any Copyright. Anyone found infringing on any Intellectual Property Rights or Copyright would be disqualified from the competition. Once the results announced, they will be published on TunesLiberia.com Only the Winner will be notified via /phone by November 21, There will be no notification to participants of rejected songs. Judges are not obligated to designate a first-place winner if no contestant qualifies, based on the evaluation criteria. Judge s score sheets may include comments on the performances. 4

5 The Jury reserves the right to reject any entry, which does not feel suitable or appropriate or which does not comply to any of the conditions listed above. The Jury reserves reserve the right to cancel or amend all or any part of the competition and/ or the terms & conditions/ technical parameters/ evaluation criteria. However, any changes will be updated/ posted on the online platform and it would be the responsibility of the participants to keep themselves informed of any changes mentioned above stated for this Contest. 5