Inspired by the photographic exhibition In Their Hands: Women Taking Ownership of Peace, the online discussion Women, Peace, Power focused on the challenges faced by women as photographers in conflict and post-conflict settings, their aspirations, and their roles in advancing peace and gender equality.
“We really need these storytellers on the ground,” said Melissa Flemming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, who moderated the discussion.
“We need those images that will not just leave people in despair, but also show the resilience and show the role that women are playing, not only in communities, but also as peacemakers.”
Samy Vasquez, a photographer from Colombia, feels that “women photographers have an advantage when filming other women”.
“They feel safe and protected in our presence because of the unfortunate track records of abuse by men in our country,” she said.
Another photographer, Hana Haza’a, said, “As female photographers, we enhance the role of the women in the war in Yemen and convey the message of peace.”
“If the UN had hired men to take these photographs, we would have seen very different visuals,” said Laura Roumanos, co-founder and executive director of Photoville. “It is not hard to find amazing women photographers, there are thousands of them, and I think these stories should be told through the lens of a woman.”
This event, held on 23 March, was organized by the Department of Peace Operations, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and UN Women.
“We need to teach people that photography isn’t only to document the negative parts of our society. Through our photos, we tell stories which would otherwise be left untold,” concluded Maura Ajak, a photographer from South Sudan.
“They are the legacy we leave for future generations.”
