The Positive Action Challenges in collaboration with United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is seeking applications for The Start Free Challenge. This challenge is seeking replicable innovations at a local level which can speed up the progress being made to reach the super-fast-track target to reduce new HIV infections in children to less than 40,000 by 2018 and 20,000 by 2020.

The prize amount is $100,000 to be divided between up to 4 winners. The challenge will close on the 15th February, 2018. Full application must be submitted by the 29th March, 2018.

For more information or to apply click here.

About the Award

In East and Southern Africa, 35% of women are married before age 18. Globally, over 650 million women alive today were married as children. Child marriage is rooted in gender inequality and is exacerbated by poverty, insecurity and conflict.

Launched in 2018, RIATT-ESA in partnership with the the African Union and with support from Media Monitoring Africa, launched an award for journalists reporting on Child Marriage. The award was developed in support the African Union Campaign to End Child Marriage Campaign, in an effort to enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of girls and women in Africa. The primary objective of the Award is to promote reporting of child marriage issues; hence raising public awareness, understanding and galvanizing action against child marriage.

The first awards were handed out in 2019 during the during the 3rd STC & SDLE of the African Union.