Laadli Media and Advertising Awards for Gender Sensitivity (LMAAGS) 2020 by Population First
Mumbai based social impact organization, Population First, which works for women empowerment and gender equality has announced, ‘Call for Entries’, for the prestigious 10th Laadli Media and Advertising Awards for Gender Sensitivity (LMAAGS) 2020. LMAAGS, the one of its kind awards dedicated to gender sensitivity in the media, acknowledge, highlight and celebrate those in the media for gender sensitivity. Last date for receiving entries is 30th June 2020.
Dr. A.L. Sharada, Director, Population First explains, “From mere 100 entries in 2007 to more than 1500 entries in 2017, Laadli Media Awards have come a long way in acknowledging the media’s contribution in women empowerment and gender issues. The increasing volume of discussion in public domain on gender issues is an indication that we are witnessing the beginnings of change. These awards facilitate engagement of journalists with gender issues and we are happy to note that our various interventions have resulted in more coverage from gender perspective over the years across media.”
Over 800 awards across 14 languages in Print, Electronic, Radio and Web categories have been bestowed on deserving Media and Advertising professionals from across the country since its inception in 2007. The awards also recognize creative advertising professionals who are sensitive to women’s portrayal in advertising. The announcement comes following the two-year long Media Advocacy Campaign for Gender Sensitivity in collaboration, with UNFPA, Government of Norway and International Advertising Association (IAA).
A gender sensitive communication across Print, Electronic, Radio & Web would analyze policies, programs and laws from a gender perspective, highlight influence of gender perceptions on the functioning of police, judiciary, administrators and other service providers in the implementation of laws and programs, challenge gender stereo-types by focusing on men and women who are redefining gender equations, analyze the social, religious and economic factors that promote gender inequality and gender based violence, report on current events from a gender perspective, create awareness about gender discriminatory practices such as pre-birth sex selection, child marriages, devadasi system etc., interpret research and other reports/documents from a gender perspective e.g. census, economic survey, budgets etc., voice the experiences of survivors of gender violence, give visibility to women achievers and women breaking gender barriers etc.
Dr. Sharada further added, “Considering the popularity of OTT streaming sites & applications, an award for a Web Series is also introduced this year. Also, two new and popular awards are being introduced in the General Entertainment segment for the Most Inspiring Woman Protagonist and Best Episode with a positive message on a gender issue”, she informed. A special award for Best Reporting on COVID 19 from a gender perspective is also being introduced in this edition.
Taking the baton forward on awareness of ‘COVID & Gender’, Laadli acknowledges the fact that COVID 19 has transformed our lives in many unprecedented ways. It’s impact on lifestyles, social practices and economy is going to be tremendous leading to concerns like
• Would there be a surge in domestic violence? Are we going to see resurgence of harmful social practices like child marriages, pre-birth sex selection, dowry, gender-based violence, sexual exploitation of women, etc.?
• What would be the role of women in COVID 19 response mechanisms at the policy, programmatic and grassroots level?
• How is the digital divide going to affect women’s access to services, job opportunities and support systems?
These and many other questions need to be asked, explored and reported. To enable journalists to focus and explore these themes, Laadli has announced 15 media Fellowships for journalists writing for print and online publications.
The Fellowship of Rs.50,000/- is granted to journalists for writing in-depth investigative stories on gender issues in the COVID 19 context. The Fellowships cover 8 languages English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Oriya, Telugu, Assamese and Urdu, from across the country. The Fellowship is open for both freelance and working journalists. Interested candidates can share their bios with us at [email protected]. Last date for receiving entries is 10th June, 2020. Ms. Argentina Matavel Piccin, Country Representative, UNFPA shared, “UNFPA India is proud to partner with Population First for engaging the media in challenging gender discrimination and promoting equal value of daughters and sons. We recognize the critical role of the media in shaping an environment where women and girls are respected and valued.” All entries for the 10th Edition of LMAAGS should be original and comply with the copyright requirements and should have been published/ displayed/ broadcast or telecast between 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019.The last date for receipt of entries is 30th June 2020.
The winners will be chosen by a jury comprising of eminent personalities both from the media and social sector like Pamela Phillipose, Sagarika Ghose, Deepa Sahi, Indira Jaisingh, Kumar Ketkar and Mohammed Khan.