VEDANA AWARDS
Presenting the 2nd edition of the "Vedana Awards," the first of its kind.
We recognize you for your sincere efforts in shaping a better society and a better India.
- Menstruation forces around 23 million girls to drop out of school each year. To address these alarming figures, Project Vedana intends to create awareness programs in rural regions to minimize school absenteeism/dropouts among girls after menstruation, with the active participation of youth and the normalization of period taboos and preconceptions.
Vedana Award aims to establish an award to commemorate young people and organizations making a positive difference in the lives of women who face discrimination due to menstruation. The award ceremony will also allow a meaningful discourse with such persons about their journeys and triumphs to persuade others to help combat oppression.
Vedana Awards have been diversified into eight different categories for the work done in the last two years.
The entries will be analyzed by a panel of potential jurors (including prominent social activists and academicians). In this case, the jury panel’s decision will be final.
Please Watch this Video of First Edition of Vedana Awards
AWARD NOMINATION
START DATE : 28-05-2023
END DATE : 20-06-2023
You can apply for the nomination through the online application form and submit the required documents and proofs.
AWARD CATEGORIES
1. Policy and Program Enabler: This award acknowledges individuals who drive changes in policies and advocate for affordable menstrual products, proper sanitation facilities, and the inclusion of menstrual health in national health agendas and development programs. It also recognizes those who work with NGOs, policymakers, and healthcare providers to address the social, economic, and health impacts related to menstrual taboos and strengthen advocacy efforts using evidence-based approaches.
2. Environmental Impact Reduction:
The disposal of menstrual waste and the environmental harm caused by non-biodegradable items is one of the most contentious issues surrounding menstruation. This award celebrates academics, activists, and educators who promote the use of environmentally friendly goods, either by inventing them or boosting their accessibility.
3. Community Engagement:
Plenty of the systemic challenges around menstruation arise from the overwhelming majority of people still regard it as a disgrace, immoral, or something that must be disguised. Menstruating women are prohibited from attending school, while menstruating women are disallowed from visiting temples and kitchens, among other restrictions. This award honors individuals or groups who have meaningful dialogues about menstruation in their classrooms, schools, institutions, or communities.
4. Social Media Campaigning:
In today's world, digital networks are the most effective medium for widespread awareness of any topic. It is vital to use social media to start a discourse about the discrimination against menstruation and engage a diverse group of individuals in this struggle. This award honors people or groups who have made significant contributions to raising awareness about menstruation and making a positive difference in the lives of menstrual girls and women from all backgrounds.
5. Medical Outreach:
Menstruation has a physiological component that should not be overlooked. The discomfort and consequences of menstruation on women vary from person to person, leading to many discomforts, concerns, and difficulties with menstruation. These awards celebrate medical practitioners who have aided in dispelling those fears and helped to demystify the talk about menstruation.
6. Reducing School Absenteeism:
Menstruation creates a wide range of issues for women and girls. The absence of females from school, especially in rural regions, is one such issue that Sarkari School is concerned about. Girls lose roughly 20% of their schooling each year due to menstruation. This award honors educators, student leaders, activists, and community leaders who work to address the core reasons for menstruation girls' absence and restore normalcy to their schooling.
7. Wordsmith:
"Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble."
— By Yehuda Berg.
Talking about social issues unfurl their various dimensions. Hence, when discussed openly, social issues ultimately lead to their better understanding, and only change can be effectuated easily. The award honors writers, authors, bloggers, litterateur, columnists, editors, etc., who use words to show to address societal issues about menstruation.
8. Donation Drive:
Lack of access to sterile feminine products causes serious health-related issues for women. The award hereby advocates those who work to distribute safe period products to girls and women who cannot afford them or are unaware of their availability.
Thank you for your interest and support of the Vedana Awards.
Please direct all inquiries, comments, or feedback to
[email protected]
&
[email protected]
PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
1. No entry fee is required for the Vedana Awards. Participation is free.
2. The nomination period for the awards will begin on May 28, 2023, and end on June 20, 2023.
3. Please make sure to include all the necessary details in a single submission.
4. You can nominate yourself or someone else, but please obtain consent from the nominee before sharing their personal information.
5. Each candidate can only apply for one category out of the eight available.
6. If you are representing an organization, you can nominate multiple candidates for different categories.
7. Only work conducted between January 2021 and January 2023 will be considered for evaluation in all categories.
8. Only Indian citizens are eligible for nomination.
9. Project Vedana reserves the right to modify or change award categories as necessary.
10. The decisions made by the jury panel will be final and binding.