All of the photographs in ¡°Through Her Lens: Women Rising for Peace¡± were taken by local women photographers ¨C women storytellers who are familiar with the complex histories and sensitivities of the subjects and contexts they captured. Through their lens, they bring to life the visual stories of how women¡¯s efforts to promote peace are unfolding on the ground in some of the most challenging and dangerous places on earth.
For more information about the photographers click on their photo.
Alice Ambrucer
Mozambique
¡°Pay attention to what bothers you and how it affects others. Consider the issues in your home, community, and the world, and be part of the change. Take action to change your reality. If each of us does our part, we can create significant change.¡±
Mona Elfateh
Sudan
¡°I wanted my photos to tell a story of the strength and resilience of local Toker women, and to reflect the pivotal role they play in promoting food security, equality, peaceful coexistence and economic independence.¡±
Maisa Ghazaleh
Occupied Palestinian Territory
¡°I use my pen to give voice to the Palestinian people, and I use my camera to show their faces to the world. Through both, I convey the details of daily life: the suffering, the resilience, and the hope, despite all the challenges and risks.¡±
Jaella Fleurianna Path¨¦
Central African Republic
¡°If we want to advance gender equality, it¡¯s important to understand the weight of traditions and mentalities. I¡¯ve chosen to use visual media to contribute to this necessary evolution.¡±
Laura Hasani
Kosovo*
¡°Too often, the societal role of women in peace processes and trust-building is overlooked or underrepresented. These photos help to change that, so that the world sees and hears from the women who are doing the hard work of rebuilding communities and leading change.¡±
Rita Kalaban
Lebanon
¡°Women in our region have always had the strength to do the impossible and continue doing so today. It gives me so much pride to photograph them.¡±
Antonia Maria Nicolaides
Cyprus
¡°Through this work, I want to show the courage and dynamism of women improving their well-being and promoting their rights.¡±
Do Nsoseme Dora
Democratic Republic of the Congo
¡°When we look at the history of the Congo and the years of war and intercommunal conflict, we often forget the stories of the women who bring everyone to the table to find peace. They help show our country in a different light and tell stories that are often overlooked.¡±
Narline Novembre
Haiti
¡°When I take photos in Haiti, I¡¯m not looking for suffering, I¡¯m looking for the strength behind every gaze. We can¡¯t fix everything, but we can bear witness. And sometimes, that alone is an act of justice.¡±
Gift Francisca Mwansa
Zambia
¡°By highlighting women¡¯s roles in policing, I inspire others and help foster trust between law enforcement and local communities, especially women.¡±
UN Photo/United Nations Mission in South Sudan
For this project, we made every effort to collaborate with local women photographers in each context. In South Sudan, the country found itself on the brink of another civil war in early 2025, so we had to quickly adapt and find alternative ways to tell these important stories.
*All references to Kosovo should be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
This exhibit was launched in June 2025