"Women Weave the Web" Writing Contest: Giving Women Equal Access to the Internet

Women Weave the Web Campaign:
How Can We Give Women Equal Access to the Internet? Enter the Writing Contest!

Program(s) Offered: Ideas
Program Level: Writing contest
Provider: World Pulse
Country to Write in: Online, Any country

Scholarship Description
200 million more men have access to the Internet than women. 41% of men worldwide are connected to the Internet, compared to 37% of women. Women worldwide are an estimated 21% less likely to own a mobile phone.

What will it take for all women across the globe to benefit from everything the Internet has to offer? If you want to make your voice heard on this important issue, participate in the WWW: Women Weave the Web Campaign!

World Pulse is honored to announce the inaugural Lynn Syms Prize, in partnership with sculptor and philanthropist Lynn Syms. In 2014, the prize will be awarded to an outstanding grassroots woman and visionary voice using digital tools to effect change and advance her community work.

Eligibility
To be eligible to win the US $20,000 prize and trip to New York City, you must submit a written journal entry to all three phases of World Pulse’s Women Weave the Web Campaign. But hurry, the first phase of the campaign ends on March 31st, 2014!

We all know that “WWW” refers to the World Wide Web or simply the web. But this year, World Pulse, a partner of Telecentre.org Foundation, is giving new meaning to WWW with the launch of their latest campaign called “WWW: Women Weave the Web“.

Join World Pulse in supporting women who are using the Internet to transform the world. From the streets of Nairobi to the plazas of Buenos Aires, women are logging on and sparking change. Now is the time to break down the digital divide. Participate in the campaign to make sure that every woman can access the tools that will empower her!

The campaign will crowdsource the wisdom of grassroots women leaders on issues related to digital inclusion and empowerment. Through the three phases of the campaign (Digital Access, Digital Literacy, Digital Empowerment), women and their allies around the world will speak out on challenges they have accessing the Internet, the solutions communities are developing, and the ways in which the Internet empowers them to create change on the ground.

Eligible groups
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?
Anyone and everyone interested in supporting women’s empowered access to the Internet is welcome to participate!

Participating Institutions
World Pulse; AND
Women and women leaders worldwide; AND
Anybody interested in women rights and women affairs

Scholarship benefits
WHY PARTICIPATE?
By participating, you will be joining a global community of women speaking out on the importance of digital inclusion and empowerment for women. Your voice will be delivered to powerful decision makers such as government officials, leaders in the technology industry, and policy makers at international organizations. In addition to influencing global agendas, your submission to the campaign will open the door to incredible opportunities such as:

• Being selected to represent World Pulse at influential international forums. This is your chance to meet key players and make your voice count!
• Connecting and building relationships with grassroots women leaders around the world. Be part of a community of thousands of women speaking out on this issue!
• Exploring and sharing resources for your work on our Campaign Resources page. Find support for your initiatives from funding to volunteers and supporters!
• Getting your voice heard on a global scale! World Pulse will analyze and collate your stories to deliver recommendations to influencers and decision makers on a global scale.
• Getting visibility and support for your work. Your story could be featured on our site, included in an e-magazine, or even published by well-known media outlets!
• Winning incredible prizes to empower you and your work

Method of Application
World Pulse is engaging communities worldwide in 3 phases. This writing competition is part of the first phase i.e. the Digital Access phase.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

• WRITE IT! Write a story on your experiences and solutions to digital inclusion and empowerment for women.
• MAP IT! Help us populate a map of women-friendly places to connect to the web; add your spot to our crowdmap.
• SNAP IT! Upload a picture that speaks to the topic of women’s online access and inclusion.
• WIN IT! Submit a story to the Women Weave the Web Campaign, and you’ll have the opportunity to win incredible prizes, including the $20,000 Lynn Syms Prize!
• WEAVE IT! Read campaign submissions, comment on them, and build relationships with incredible women transforming their communities.

It is important to visit the official WWW campaign page (link to it is below) for complete details on how to fully participate in this campaign programme

DEADLINES:
The deadline for the this first phase of the campaign is 31 March, 2014

PLEASE NOTE:
In early 2014, World Pulse launched its WWW: Women Weave the Web Campaign, aimed at crowdsourcing the wisdom of grassroots women leaders on issues related to digital inclusion and empowerment. The campaign will engage the community in three phases: Digital Access phase to find out about challenges women have accessing the Internet and the solutions you and your community are developing; the Digital Literacy phase, and subsequently the Digital Empowerment phase, both gathering your ideas on the tools you need to fully espouse the web, as well as how the Internet empowers you to create real and powerful change on the ground.

Application Deadline: 31 March 2014
Open to International Applicants: Yes

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: Women Scholarships for International Students