EDITOR’S NOTE: Funding for the NCS As Equals challenge led to December 2025. One ultimate instalment within the collection launched in March 2026.
Note: This web page was final up to date in June 2024.
As Equals is a NCS challenge that goals to disclose what systemic gender inequality seems to be like.
There is a gendered dimension to each one in every of our main international challenges together with, however not restricted to: local weather change, financial or well being inequality, the rise of authoritarianism, mass migration or algorithmic bias. Critical, tenacious journalism is required to show all of it.
With tales on underreported points in underreported components of the world, informed by underrepresented voices, As Equals intends to highlight taboo topics, use modern displays and impact change.
Staffed by a devoted staff, As Equals will broaden the scope of gender reporting and construct on NCS’s already-established popularity for unbiased, world-class, mobile-first, thought-provoking journalism, with manufacturing throughout NCS’s platforms, together with newsletters and audio, documentaries, in addition to occasions.
As Equals initially launched in 2018 with the help of a year-long Innovation in Development Reporting grant from the European Journalism Centre. The collection stored going after 2019 due to dedication by NCS.
In October 2020, NCS introduced that the collection would increase with a brand new three-year grant of US $3.6m from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
That cash – which may solely be utilized by NCS for As Equals – will fund salaries and related staffing prices; the reporting and manufacturing of journalism in a number of codecs; the commissioning of freelance storytellers and the holding of occasions.
For the period of the collection, NCS will proceed to supply As Equals with employees and logistical assist.
Will the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have any affect on NCS’s journalism?
No. As Equals’ journalism will probably be fully editorially unbiased. All of the output from the collection will probably be held to NCS’s excessive requirements and will probably be truthful, correct and accountable.
As with different grant-funded journalism, we are going to recurrently report back to the funder, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to exhibit that NCS is spending the cash consistent with the aim for which it was supposed.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant funds As Equals for 4 years, till 31 December 2024.
For the previous a number of hundred years, patriarchy has formed the world. Most institutions and societal norms were created for men, by men. As a consequence, girls have lengthy been denied equal rights (akin to the precise to vote) and all around the world they continue to face a myriad of challenges: unequal pay; a scarcity of equal authorized rights; the dearth of information or investments in analysis in gendered points; bearing the brunt of the care burden; early or pressured marriage, and extra. Experiences of those challenges vary depending on gender or sexual identification, class, race or ethnicity, age, location or capacity.
As Equals intends to forged a highlight on these points and report on them in ways in which deepens international understanding and produces tangible affect.
As Equals is unreservedly dedicated to inclusivity. Our tales is not going to solely present you what gender inequality seems to be like, but in addition how inequality isn’t just restricted to at least one location or individuals, and why it persists around the globe.
You can ship ideas or inquiries to the next e mail handle: [email protected]
Please word that we’re a small staff and get plenty of correspondence so your persistence is appreciated.
As Equals doesn’t cowl the information of the day. Rather we try and set the information agenda by means of investigative work, or deepen understanding and information of causes of gender inequality and potential options by means of partaking human-interest or knowledge tales.
If you’d wish to ship us ideas, or make us conscious of insights from analysis, knowledge from research, or the names and contacts of phenomenal individuals whose tales you suppose we should always inform, you are able to do so by emailing [email protected]
Every yr we choose a few themes with the intention to give our journalists and audiences the chance to cowl a problem or pattern from a number of views – and enhance the potential for affect. Get in contact to search out out what collection we’re at the moment engaged on.
Before you pitch us a narrative, we’d like so that you can ask your self just a few questions first:
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Is my thought unique? This may imply that it could possibly be a subject, a state of affairs or a spot that hasn’t already been extensively reported, however it will probably additionally imply that you’ve entry to new data or completely different sources; your reporting will current the story in a brand new approach, or will assist audiences see the larger image.
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Am I the precise particular person to inform this story? Do you might have entry that different individuals don’t? Do you perceive a fancy concern and may clearly and engagingly inform a narrative about it? Do you examine or comply with a subject intently and may see what others have missed?
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Am I ready to work with others? The finest journalism is collaborative. You might need an ideal thought however not the precise contacts or knowledge abilities, for instance. If we commissioned you, would you be joyful to work with a staff to inform your story, if it wanted it?
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How evergreen is my thought? While we are going to transfer faster on columns, your opinion piece or characteristic thought shouldn’t be irrelevant on the finish of the day’s information cycle.
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Is my story proper for NCS? On As Equals, we need to see the larger image. To uncover the systemic causes of gender inequality and inform these tales for a world viewers. Will your story assist us try this? Is your story going to be relatable exterior of its native or nationwide context?
As Equals seeks to amplify underrepresented voices in entrance of the lens and behind the digital camera. We’re searching for character-driven quick documentaries and picture essays by and/or about girls and non-binary individuals throughout the globe, and want to hear from non-fiction filmmakers, video and picture journalists who need to inform common tales that contact audiences emotionally and maintain up a mirror to society.
If you might have an thought you’d wish to pitch us, take into account the questions talked about above, then submit your pitch to [email protected]
While sturdy choice will probably be given to tales in pre- or early manufacturing, you may additionally embrace hyperlinks to previously-filmed materials.
These FAQs have been final up to date on June 11, 2024.