Overview

Adolescents and young people aged 14 to 35 accounting for 28.4 percent of the total population in China (about 400 million people). Young people are a key driving force in accelerating change toward the realization of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

At the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994, representatives of 179 governments gathered in Cairo and adopted the ICPD Programme of Action, which recognized reproductive health, the empowerment of women and gender equality as key pillars of sustainable development. 

In 1995, 189 countries adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action at the Fourth World Conference on Women , providing the most comprehensive global policy framework and blueprint for action on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

To honour these milestones, UNFPA China proudly presents the Youth in Action: UNFPA China Youth Photography Competition for Gender Equality, inviting young people (aged 18-35) in China to capture powerful visual stories that reflect the spirit of gender equality and women’s empowerment inspired by the ICPD and Beijing Platforms of Action. 

The winning entries will be showcased in a prestigious art exhibition, amplifying youth voices, celebrating progress, and sparking meaningful conversations. Join us in capturing the future of equality—one powerful image at a time!

Background

2025 marks the final five years left for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

In 2022, UNFPA China, in collaboration with Beifang International Education Group and  Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation, initiated a youth photography competition on women’s empowerment. The competition received over 20,000 submissions of photography work, showcasing gender equality and the energy and potential of women in communities. 

In 2025, UNFPA is launching a new youth photography competition, with the theme of Youth in Action for Gender Equality, to celebrate  progress in gender equality 30 years after the adoption of the ICPD and Beijing Platforms of Action and to amplify the vision of placing people’s dignity and rights at the heart of sustainable development.

Competition Themes

Track 1: Youth Leadership in Promoting Gender Equality and Intergenerational Solidarity

Photos should feature young people as the main subjects, reflecting the spirit of contemporary youth in exploring the world, promoting gender equality and intergenerational solidarity, driving social development, and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Track 2: Women's Diversity

Photos should profile women being active in all walks of life, highlighting the diversity and richness of women's lives. The aim is to break stereotypes and show that women can be active in all aspects of society.

Track 3: Inclusive Society and Equality in Daily Life

Photos should profile vulnerable populations to promote inclusive societies and integrated social development that leaves no one behind, especially women and girls in remote areas. This can include older persons, persons with disabilities and other groups who can face barriers in  accessing healthcare, education and social and other services.

Deadline for Submission: 
15 July 2025

Rules:

• Eligible participants: Young people aged 18 - 35 in China.
• The submission could be either a single photo or a series of photos.
• Submitted works must be original works held in full copyright by the submitter. The works should not contain any marks, borders, text, or other content embedded by the contestant. The submitted photo files must retain the original parameters of digital photo shooting, such as EXIF information. The work specifications require JPG format, with a long side of 1024PX-3000PX width, and the file size should be over 3MB.
• A brief description of the story behind the work should be provided (about 100 Chinese characters).
• Works that are overly altered from the original image or created by computer creativity are not eligible for this competition. Contestants may use software such as Photoshop (PS) or Lightroom (Lr) to make minor adjustments to exposure, depth of field synthesis, brightness, contrast, and color saturation, as well as for cropping. However, works created by computer technology, such as synthesis, adding scenes, significant colour changes, and creative ideas, will not be accepted.
• All works must be themed within the context of public welfare and international development, and should reflect positive and uplifting content.
• Works should be submitted to the email address: cypc@yit.edu.cn. The submission should be sent as an "attachment" to the designated email address. Both single photo and series photo submissions should include the work and a brief description of the work. The email subject should be: UNFPA China Youth in Action UPower Youth Photography Competition + the contestant's real name. The submission file should be named: Contestant's real name + School/Institution + Work Theme. The works within the submission file should be named: Work Theme + Work Title + Sequence Number.
• All shortlisted works will be notified by email. The original file, the adjusted file, and the UNFPA Content Release Form (see attachment) must be submitted within 5 days. Failure to submit the required materials within the specified time will be considered as an automatic waiver of the work's selection qualification.

Awards

• Initial Selection: 200 works (series) will be shortlisted.
• Final Results: Notification will be made after the exhibition.

First Prize: 6 winners will receive a Gold Award certificate and an invitation to participate in the photography exhibition.

Second Prize: 20 winners will receive a Silver Award certificate and an invitation to participate in the photography exhibition.

Third Prize: 30 winners will receive a Bronze Award certificate and an invitation to participate in the photography exhibition.

• Honorable Mentions: Several winners will receive an Honorable Mention certificate and an invitation to participate in the photography exhibition.
• Opportunity for Award Winners: Award-winning contestants will have the opportunity to participate in photography work for UNFPA in China.

Note: The work includes, but is not limited to, photography for grassroots research, home visits, and dialogues or forums conducted by UNFPA in China. UNFPA will provide relevant allowances to young photographers during their participation in the photography tasks. The activities may take place in Beijing or other regions of China.

Judging Criteria

The initial selection results will be determined by a combination of 60% photo quality and 40% story description. The jury will vote on the submitted works to select 200 shortlisted works (series).

Other Terms:

• The submitted works must be photos obtained by the contestant through traditional film or digital sensors. By submitting the works, the candidates agree that the submitted works are their original creations. For the selected works, UNFPA and the competition organizing committee have the right to reprint, display, and disseminate the submitted works in any traditional or electronic media format within China and globally. This includes the use of low-resolution images on relevant websites. No additional remuneration will be paid. After the selection, if the works are awarded or published, a designated person will contact the author. For those not selected, no individual notification will be given.
• All shortlisted works must obtain written consent from the subjects of the photos, ensuring that the subjects sign the "UNFPA Content Release Form" (one copy in either Chinese or English is sufficient). Disclaimer: The legal responsibilities for the portrait rights, reputation rights, music copyrights, etc., of the submitted works are the responsibility of the author and are unrelated to the organizers. Contestants must own the copyright of the photos and obtain the necessary permissions for the use of portraits and other elements in the submitted photos. They must also ensure that the submitted photos do not infringe on the copyright, portrait rights, reputation rights, privacy rights, or other legitimate rights of any third party. Otherwise, the contestant will bear all responsibilities. If these legal disputes cause losses to the organizers, the contestant must also compensate for the full losses. All contestants are deemed to agree with the terms and conditions.
• If the number of submitted works does not meet the minimum required by the jury, the organizing committee has the right to cancel the competition for certain awards. After the results are announced, the winners must submit valid identification information to the competition organizing committee to claim their prizes. The organizers reserve the right to interpret this call for entries. All contestants who submit works are deemed to agree with and comply with all the above regulations of this call for entries. Any contestants or works that do not meet the regulations will be disqualified.