A local women's group is getting ready to hand out $1,750 to local middle and high school students for raising awareness about violence against women.

To mark International Women's Day on March 8, the Chilliwack chapter of Soroptimists International is calling on students to submit works of art in a medium of their choice around the theme "Standing Together: A new generation united against violence."

Students will be given "free reign" to enter works in print, photography, video, PowerPoint and more.

The top entry will earn a $1,000 grand prize while the second-and third-place entries will net $500 and $250 respectively.

"This is an exciting opportunity for area students to have their voices heard on the pressing subject of violence in our communities," Chilliwack Soroptimist president Anita Rogers said.

Deadline for the contest is March 1 at 5 p.m. and all submissions will be displayed at an International Women's Day event March 8 at the St. Thomas Anglican Church Ministry Centre (46048 Gore Ave.).

The Chilliwack Soroptimists (a service organization for business and professional women working to improve the lives of women and girls) is co-hosting the event with the office of Chilliwack-Hope MLA Gwen O'Mahony.

It will feature talks by local Ministry for Children and Family Development community psychologist Rob Lees, bankruptcy consultant Sheila Smelt, and Damien George of the Moose Hide Campaign, a grassroots movement of aboriginal and non-aboriginal men standing up against violence towards aboriginal women and children.

Breakout sessions after the talks will feature Ascend Fitness's Tanja Shaw, talking about health and nutrition, and Ann Davis Transition Society executive director Bobbi Jacob, discussing men's programs offered by the organization.

Members of the Chilliwack Huskers will also be on hand to represent the B.C. Lions' "Be More Than a Bystander" campaign aimed at raising awareness and understanding about the impact of men's violence against women.

? The event runs Friday, March 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Students anywhere in the Eastern Fraser Valley can email contest entries to anita@legacypacific.com or gwen.omahony.mla@leg.bc.ca. Submission can also be dropped of in person at O'Mahony's office (Suite 101A-8615 Young Rd., Chilliwack) between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.