A WRITING COMPETITION FOR WOMEN WITH A RS.100,000 CASH PRIZE
​
Named in honour of Zeenat Haroon Rashid (21 Jan 1928 - 8 April 2017), a founding member of the Womens National Guard at the time of Independence, a prize of Rs.100,000 (1 Lakh) is awarded annually through a competition for writing in English.
The competition is open to all women of Pakistani nationality or Pakistani heritage (with CNIC or NICOP) aged 18 and above and entries must be original, previously unpublished works of no more than 3000 words. The genre alternates each year between fiction and nonfiction and the entry can be on any subject as long as the writing has Pakistan as its canvas or location. The judges will look for a piece of writing with an original voice.
From amongst all entries, the best will be chosen for consideration by a panel of judges drawn from writers, editors, academics and publishers. The panel will then draw up a shortlist of 6 before agreeing on a winner.
The winning entry will be published online and, if appropriate, in a national newspaper or magazine.
"No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live”
From a speech given by Mr. Jinnah at the Muslim University Union’s meeting in Aligarh, March 10, 1944