As part of the launch of State of World Population (SWOP) report in Indonesia, UNFPA, the United Nations Fund for Population, conducted a Youth Photography Competition & Exhibition entitled “Capture the Future”. The competition provided a channel for young people in Indonesia to share their ideas on the issue of girls empowerment.
A total of 81 pictures were received during the competition, which was open from 16 September to 20 October 2013. Entries came from photographers aged 15-24 from across the nation, including Bali, Balikpapan, Banda Aceh, Bandung, Bangka-Belitung, Kediri, Jakarta, Medan, Jombang, Semarang, Temanggung, and Yogyakarta.
The top 25 pictures were exhibited at the Youth Jamboree event held at the Inna Garuda Hotel, Yogyakarta, on Sunday 10 November 2013. The winners were selected on the basis of three aspects; compatibility with the topic—Girls Empowerment through education, health, employment, and leadership & participation; photographic skill, including quality of pictures and aesthetic value; and the power of the message delivered and highlighted.
Martha Santoso Ismail (UNFPA Deputy Representative in Indonesia), Galih Sedayu (professional photographer), and Yosea Kurnianto (Youth Advisory Panel member) were on the judging panel, who selected the following winners:
1st winner: I Komang Yorda Garmita (20 years old) from Bali
Passing knowledge and skills from one generation to other generation: This teenage girl teaches traditional dance in one of the studios in Denpasar, Bali. This picture shows that one of the ways to empower adolescent girls is through peer mentoring, not necessary through traditional methods but also through contemporary and popular ways.
2nd winner: Ahmad Azmy Amiq (17 years old) from Jombang
Leadership and participation: This young woman, Melda, leads the marching band from the Police Academy. As a majorette she was in charge of leading her team keeping the rhythm and harmonious tone. This picture shows how encouraging leadership and participation among young women helps to build a gender-equitable society in which empowered, educated, and healthy girls can make decisions about their futures.
3rd winner: Ulfah Fatmala Rizky (23 years old) from Malang
Inclusive education for girls with disabilities: Girls with disabilities often face a double stigma. Through inclusive education programs, they can have an equal opportunity to obtain the highest education. In this picture, a student with disabilities discusses the role of young women with disabilities and education with her friends at Brawijaya University, Malang, East Java.
I Komang Yorda Garmita, the 1st winner, was invited to the launch of the SWOP report in Yogyakarta on Friday 8 November 2013 at Hotel Royal Ambarrukmo, and received a certificate of achievement from the Deputy for Population Management at BKKBN, Dr. Wendy Hartanto.
I Komang Yorda Garmita, the winner, said:
“It was an honor for me to became a winner of the UNFPA Youth Photo Competition. I was not only able to improve my photographic skill but also raise my awareness on youth issues, especially the issues of girl empowerment, which was the topic of this competition. More than that, the other finalists and I can also raise the awareness of young people in Indonesia through our pictures. As we know, the classic proverb says ‘a picture paints a thousand words’. I think this kind of competition is an effective medium to engage young people though their interest and hobbies.”
People’s choice winner
The “people’s choice” winner was selected though the UNFPA Indonesia Fan Page on Facebook. With 813 likes, Muhammad Fauzi (20 years old) from Medan had the most popular entry.
Counselling: A student of North Sumatra University is conducting voluntary counselling to kindergarten students in Medan. She teaches them how to brush teeth properly and effectively. This picture shows that one of the ways to empower adolescent girls is through peer mentoring.
Tags: youth
