Gaming for Good: New Facebook Game Focuses on Women's Issues

Here's one game you shouldn't feel guilty about playing

Forget FarmVille, Mafia Wars, or Bejeweled Blitz. There's a new game on Facebook -- and it aims to raise awareness of issues like female genital mutilation and child prostitution. "Half the Sky Movement: The Game" follows an Indian woman named Radhika who faces challenges and, with the assistance of players, can advance through the game via donated virtual goods. It begins with Radhika pondering how to afford a doctor visit for her sick daughter -- the answer is to harvest mangoes, which players do for her. The players can then make equivalent real-world donations to seven nonprofit organizations woven into the game; $20 will help support United Nations Foundation immunization efforts. Each step requires the player to answer a question, and as her empowerment grows, Radhika moves acorss the globe to Kenya, Vietnam and Afghanistan. Players can play at no charge, but they will make faster progress through donations. (NY Times)

[SUBSCRIBE TO LOOP 21 RSS FEED]