Melilla announces the XII Clara Campoamor Contest against gender-based violence

The Autonomous City of Melilla has announced the XII “Clara Campoamor 2026” Contest, a competition for phrases and reflections against gender-based violence featuring prizes of up to 300 euros, ten honorable mentions of 60 euros each, and an award of 500 euros for the best-represented entity. The call is formalized through Order No. 4873, of October 22, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Presidency, Public Administration and Equality, and published in the Official Gazette of Melilla (BOME) No. 6426, of October 27, 2026, with reference BOME-A-2026-1203.

Regulatory Framework and Issuing Body

The order bears registration number 2026004873 and is signed in its publication by the Technical Secretary of Presidency and Equality, Pilar Cabo León, on October 23, 2026. The call is supported by Article 23.2 d) of the General Subsidies Law 38/2003, of November 17, which imposes a competitive bidding regime for the granting of this type of prize.

The contest is part of the projects funded with credits assigned by the Secretary of State for Equality and the Eradication of Violence against Women, of the Ministry of Equality, according to the resolution of April 20, 2026. Against the resolution, which does not exhaust administrative remedies, an administrative appeal may be filed before the President of the Autonomous City of Melilla within one month from the day following its notification.

Two Categories and a Slogan with Reflection

All persons with legal residence in Melilla may participate, divided into two categories:

• Category A: from 12 to 18 years old.
• Category B: 19 years and older.

Participants must submit in Spanish a phrase or slogan against gender-based violence or against any other form of violence against women—sexual violence, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation—followed by a personal reflection in which sensitivity and commitment to equality will be assessed. The slogan must be brief, inspiring, motivational, and easily associated with the concept it represents.

The work may not exceed two pages written in Arial 12 typography, single-sided and double-spaced. The heading shall state the name of the entity, if submitted through one, followed by the first and last name of the author, their age, address, and contact telephone number.

Prizes and Recognition for Entities

In Category A, three prizes of 300, 200, and 100 euros will be awarded, in addition to ten honorable mentions of 60 euros each, to the works determined by the jury for their quality. In Category B, another three prizes of 300, 200, and 100 euros will be granted to the three best works. A prize of 500 euros is added for the best-represented entity.

The prizes for both categories will consist of educational computer equipment and sets of books related to the prevention of gender-based violence and the promotion of equality; in the case of the winning entity, the award will be co-educational books. The winning entries will remain in the possession of the Vice-Ministry of Equality and Women, which may publish them and reuse the slogans in subsequent campaigns.

Deadline, jury, and verdict

The deadline for submitting essays to the Vice-Ministry of Equality and Women will remain open until November 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., and no subsequent entries will be accepted. Participation implies acceptance of the rules.

The jury will be chaired by the Vice-Minister of Equality and Women or their delegate and will be composed of three public employees who must be Equality agents. The Technical Secretary of the Ministry of Presidency, Public Administration and Equality, or another official authorized to certify the proceedings, will act as secretary, with a voice but no vote. The composition of the collegiate body will be announced on the day the verdict is made public, and the jury may resolve any doubts that arise in the application of the rules.

The call for entries comes in a context of mobilization by educational centers and social entities, as the contest accepts entries submitted by collectives and reserves a specific prize for the best-represented entity. With twelve accumulated editions, the “Clara Campoamor” Contest establishes itself as one of the stable avenues for citizen participation in Melilla regarding awareness against sexist violence, with a format that combines brief creation and reasoned reflection and extends its reach to ages from 12 years old.

Source: Official Gazette of Melilla (BOME), no. 6426, October 27, 2026, section I, pp. 5295-5296 (official reference: BOME-A-2026-1203).