The cartoon competition is part of an international campaign called “16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls”. The event was co-organized by UN Women, the European Commission, the Belgian Development Cooperation, and the United Nations Regional Information Centre. The event offers a platform for picturing the positive changes Vietnamese want to see toward gender equality. Frederic Ceuppens is First Secretary of Development and Cooperation at the Embassy and Consulate of Belgium in Vietnam:“This contest is first of all to advocate for more gender equality with the special focus this year on violence against women and girls. Now we think that cartoons and comics can be used to raise awareness on that issue. It’s the means, but the end is to help more gender equality not only in Vietnam, also in Belgium and in all countries in the world”.

The launch of 2016's competition in Hanoi. Photo: VOV

The launch brought together 60 students, artists, and donors, as well as NGOs and the media. Speaking at the event, Jehanne Roccas, Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam, said: “I’m not sure that it can minimize gender inequality, but at least it can raise awareness of the problem. In Belgium, we have three national languages. And very often, there are problems about understanding each other. But with a cartoon, you don’t need words. It’s so obvious. The message is very clear without language, and it can be used all over the world”.

Jury member Lý Trực has been drawing cartoons for over 30 years. His work has been printed in both national and international newspapers and magazines. Dung said: “Cartoonists are often more observant of people’s shortcomings than others. However, I want to emphasize that a cartoon is not just for entertaining; it’s also not for mockery. The meaning of a cartoon is to condemn a social evil and help build a better society through pictures. Deep messages are conveyed through laughter”.

2015's second prize winner

The competition invites Vietnamese 18 or older to picture their understanding of women’s rights and gender equality through cartoons. The 10 best drawings will be published in a booklet and considered for exhibition and further publication. Finalists will be selected by a jury composed of professional comic artists, gender equality experts, and communication experts. Ambassador Roccas said: “What we would like to convey is inequality between the genders is something that should be eradicated. All societies will find ways to consider women and men, young girls and young boys; of course they are not the same, but at least to give them the equal opportunities in life and having the same possibilities to find the families, to have a good job, and to be happier then”.

2015's first prize winner

Patriarchal attitudes and gender stereotypes contribute to treating women as subordinate members of the family or society. They also affect how women are treated and perceived by public institutions and social structures. Dung again:“In my opinion, the topic on gender equality is quite difficult, but it is important and meaningful. In Vietnam, there are so many cartoons on bribe, communication, education…which are all large topics. There is hardly any work on gender or people’s plight, especially women’s status. Although the society is now modern and is developing more and more, women are still the ones who are unfavorable and need to be protected”.

The contest gives Vietnamese artists a chance to challenge gender stereotypes through entire cartoons to illustrating what gender equality looks like. The deadline for entries is January 18, 2016. Three finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony at the Women’s Museum in Hanoi in March 2016.