Draw The Line Against Violence Art Competition

16 Days of Activism Art Competition | Rules

Art Competition for the 16 Days of Activism 2025

As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, UN Women, UNFPA, the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator, in partnerships with the High Commission of Canada and the European Union Delegation, invite young artists ages 11 to 18 to participate in the “Draw The Line Against Violence’’ Art Competition.

This year’s campaign focuses on the prevention of various kinds of violence, including Gender-Based Violence, bullying, cyberbullying, child abuse, school violence, family violence, online violence, and the creation of safe, inclusive and respectful spaces for all.

General Rules

1. Learn & Reflect

Before starting to create your artwork, learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they promote equality, peace, and justice for everyone:
 🔗 https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

2. Choose a Category

Create an original piece of artwork inspired by the theme “Prevention of Violence” and the promotion of safe, inclusive, and respectful spaces.

 → Consider the following categories:

1. Safe Spaces for All: show what safe, inclusive, and respectful environments, at school, home, or online, look like when everyone is treated with kindness and dignity and conflicts are resolved peacefully.
2. Preventing Bullying and Cyberbullying: depict how empathy and courage can help stop bullying, whether it happens face-to-face or behind a screen.
3. Ending Gender-Based Violence: illustrate the importance of equality, respect and standing up for the rights and safety of women and girls.
4. Protecting Children from Violence and Abuse: highlight the role we all play in ensuring children grow up in environments free from harm, neglect and fear.
5. Family and Community Harmony: celebrate families and communities that resolve conflict peacefully and support one another with love and respect.
6. Freedom and Safety: portray the right of everyone, especially women and girls, to live, learn and express themselves safely and confidently both in real life and in digital spaces.
7. Empowerment and Equality—Online and Offline: show how empowerment, education and equal opportunities can help people, particularly youth and women, thrive safely everywhere, online and offline.

3. Artwork Format and Submission Guidelines

Entries can be created using:

• Traditional media — pencil, pen, crayon, charcoal, oil, acrylic, water colours or mixed media.
• Digital art — illustrations, designs or digital compositions
• Performance art: original poetry or spoken word poetry.

Students may submit art in any form: digital media, physical art [paintings, drawings, sketches, mixed media art] or video recordings of original poetry under the theme of Prevention of Violence.  For physical art, such as paintings or sketches, please take a clear, well-lit photograph of the final piece and email the photo to unrcott@gmail.com no later than 4pm on Friday, November 28, 2025.

Only one submission will be accepted per participant.

     In the body of the email, include:

• Full name of the artist
• School which the artist attends
• Parent/guardian’s phone number (or personal phone number if participant is 18 years old)
• Email address (of participant or parent/guardian)
• Title of the artwork
• Chosen category [reference categories above]
• A brief explanation (3–5 sentences) of what your artwork represents and how it connects to the theme “Prevention of Violence.”
  
  → The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the design or execution of the artwork is not permitted.

4. Eligibility

Open to participants aged 11–18 years residing in Trinidad and Tobago.

5. Parental/Guardian Submission

Artists under 18 years old must have their entries submitted by a parent or guardian on their behalf via the parent/guardian’s email address.

6. Submission Deadline

All entries must be received by Friday, 28th November at 4pm TT time.

7. How to Submit

Email your submission to unrcott@gmail.com.

8. Ineligible Participants

UN staff members, including interns and consultants, are not eligible to participate

9. Additional Reminders

• All submissions must be original and align with the theme.
• Entries not respecting the theme or rules will not be considered.
• Artwork should not include personal photos or identifying information.
  
  

10. Judging Criteria and Announcement of Winners

Judging will be based on:

• Creativity
• Composition
• Relevance to Theme
• Technique
   

Winners will be announced in December 2025 via the UN Women Caribbean, UNFPA Caribbean and UN Trinidad and Tobago social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram. Winners will also be contacted via email and/or cellphone. 

An awards ceremony will be held to distribute prizes. A confirmed date for the ceremony will be provided to winning artists via email/phone. 

11. Participation in Public Exhibitions

All artists retain full copyright of their work.

By making a submission to enter this art competition, participants agree to have some of their artwork displayed at three public exhibitions aimed at raising awareness about the value of preventing all forms of violence. These exhibits will take place in the first three weeks of December at venues to be announced.

UN Women, UNFPA and the UN in Trinidad and Tobago will conduct these exhibits and showcase the work of artists who win and/or those who received high commendation from the judges. Therefore, some artists will be asked for permission for the UN team to collect physical works of art to include in these exhibits. Following these exhibits, the physical art will be returned to the artist.