Digital Khichuri Challenge addresses social stigma against groups menaced by Covid-19

As a part of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) drive to bring peace and tolerance in the digital sphere, their initiative "Digital Khichuri Challenge" (DKC) is a competition to create digital solutions to consolidate peace and harmony and address societal issues menacing the digital space. 

The latest edition of DKC will focus on means of addressing online incitement against two groups: Covid-19 patients and frontline medical workers, said a press release on Friday.

The two groups have been selected given that discrimination and stigmatization against both groups can have a potentially serious impact on Bangladesh's ability to manage and recover from Covid-19.

Due to the discrimination, degrading attitude and negligence towards frontline fighters and corona affected people, there is an increase in social instability and enhanced emotional distance. In this session of DKC, teams are formulating solutions that will address this imperative issue. 

Owing to the ongoing Covid crisis, Digital Khichuri Challenge will be taking place online this time but still promises to engage the youth through their interactive Idea Lab where the selected teams refine their solutions with the help of sector experts.

14 teams have been selected from a pool of 500 submissions to take part in the 3-day Idea Lab.

The teams are set to present their ideas in front of a jury panel on July 21; and two winning teams will be chosen to receive $15,000 and expert mentorship to realize their solution and the opportunity of a lifetime to work with UNDP.