Submissions accepted through June 26 in three categories: poetry, essay and media review
Winners — 12 in total — to be announced in August and receive the district mayor's award
Mapo-gu is holding the "2026 Mapo-gu Gender Equality Literary Contest" to mark Gender Equality Week (Sept. 1–7) and promote a culture of gender equality within the community, district Mayor Park Kang-su announced.
The contest runs under the theme "Gender Equality in Mapo, Made by Me."
Participants may write freely on topics related to spreading a culture of gender equality — including personal experiences with gender equality in everyday life, visions of the equal society they hope to see, and examples of overcoming gender stereotypes and bias in daily settings.
Eligibility is open to Mapo-gu residents and workers employed at organizations based in the district who have an interest in gender equality.
The contest accepts entries in three categories: poetry, essay and media review. For the media review category, participants may submit their thoughts and reflections on gender equality as inspired by films, books, drama series or other content of their choosing.
Submissions must follow the designated format: poetry entries should run one to two A4 pages, while essays and media reviews should be two to three A4 pages. Applicants may enter in more than one category.
Those wishing to participate must submit their entries by 6 p.m. on June 26 via email, post or in-person delivery. Application forms and personal information consent documents are available for download on the Mapo-gu Office website.
The district will select 12 winners through a two-round judging process — a preliminary screening followed by an in-depth review. In each of the three categories, the district mayor's award will go to one top-prize winner, one excellence-prize winner and two encouragement-prize winners.
Winning works will be posted on the Mapo-gu Office website during the first week of August, and winners will be notified individually.
The awards ceremony will be held during the Gender Equality Week commemorative events in September. Winning entries will also be used as promotional material for gender equality policy and projects, and displayed at related exhibitions.
"Gender equality does not begin with grand discourse — it starts with small acts of practice and empathy in everyday life," a Mapo-gu official said. "We hope residents will share their own experiences and perspectives through their writing, and help build a more equal Mapo together."
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