The Directorate of Gender Affairs (DoGA) of Antigua and Barbuda, and the nonprofit organisation, Integrated Health Outreach Inc. (IHO), are excited to announce the launch of a new advocacy poster competition to raise awareness and foster action to end digital violence against women and girls. The competition is for young people and aligns with the global observance of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which is observed annually from November 25 to December 10.
The theme for the poster competition is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.” This is also the global theme for 16 Days of Activism 2025. Young people aged 12 to 19 years are invited to register and submit an original artwork poster or digital graphic design poster that highlights the theme and displays their creative potential. Today, digital tools are increasingly being used to stalk, harass, and abuse.
Women and girls already encounter gender-based violence disproportionately in real life as a consequence of harmful social attitudes that cause it to be normalised. Sadly, the internet has become a space in which gender based violence against women and girls is also playing out on an ever-increasing basis. Digital violence includes behaviours such as cyberbullying, harassment, online threats, leaking of intimate images, online grooming, revenge porn, deepfakes, doxxing, and other forms of abuse.
Notably, youth today are far more at risk of feeling these harms than any previous generation due to the rapid development of the internet and social media in the modern day. Digital violence can lead to severe emotional and psychological harm, often escalating to physical violence and even loss of life. The DoGA and IHO see this competition as an opportunity to remind Antigua and Barbuda’s youth and all its residents and citizens that this sort of online behaviour is wrong, is harmful, should never be normalised, should always be called out, and in many cases, can constitute a crime.
Programme Officer at the DoGA, Melanie Williams-Kirnon, states, “Our digital registration link for the competition went up on Tuesday, and we’re happy to say that already, we are seeing registrations. The idea for this competition is to empower young voices through creativity and advocacy, to transform the digital landscape into a safe haven for all.”
Meanwhile, Communications Officer with IHO, Kieron Murdoch, states, “IHO was excited when the DoGA approached us at first to work with them on this, especially as we plan for the national gender-based violence walk for 2026 on International Women’s Day next year. It is an opportunity for us to connect with young people early on. We don’t often talk about online violence, but it is a reality that requires the same urgency in addressing as violence that happens offline.”
Participants are invited to create original posters that interpret and visually communicate the urgency of combating digital violence against women and girls. There are no restrictions on artistic style.
Key Details:
- Age range: 12 to 19 years old
- Submission formats: Physical (minimum A3 size) or digital (high-resolution JPEG/JPG)
- Submission methods: Physical posters can be dropped off at the DoGA Office on Nevis Street, St. John’s. Digital submissions should be emailed to gender@ab.gov.ag.
- Deadline: Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM
- You must register and read the full guidelines to participate
- Register/see guidelines here: https://qrco.de/bgQrjf
About the Directorate of Gender Affairs
The Directorate of Gender Affairs is a government body committed to advancing gender equality, empowering women, and tackling gender-based violence within Antigua and Barbuda. Through a range of programmes, it aims to raise awareness about issues related to gender equality, to combat gender-based violence, to empower women and girls socially and economically, to involve and empower men and boys in the process of change, to support victims and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, and to advocate for policies that promote a safer, sustainable, and gender equal future.
About Integrated Health Outreach Inc.
Integrated Health Outreach Inc. (IHO) is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to promoting gender justice and climate justice, working to address violence against women and girls, among other vital causes. Its mandate is to strengthen women and vulnerable groups and advance sustainability through action in the areas of gender, youth, ecology and community. IHO believes that gender equality is essential for inclusive development, empowering all members of the community, and ensuring sustainable progress.
Do you have questions about the competition?
Visit the Knowledge Page here: https://ihoab.com/vawg-poster-competition | For other questions, contact Melanie Williams-Kirnon at the Directorate of Gender Affairs at 560-5207 or 462-3990.