Changing Images of Women Photo Exhibition

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This project was undertaken to visually depict the changing images in the spheres of women’s voices, bodily integrity and work. It involved a competition among amateur photographers to make a photo-documentary that brings public attention to the changing position of women in our national life. 55 photographs were selected to mount an exhibition that toured the country (Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna). Pathways presented awards for the best photograph, best series, two special mentions and a certificate to all photographers who took part. 

The exhibitions helped to counter the image of a conservative, male-dominated society in which women are subordinate and largely invisible, concentrating on the wide variety of jobs that women do and how men and women walk the streets together in equal strides. In a modest way, this exhibition did make an impact in the refashioning of women’s images.

At every exhibit, group discussions were held with students, garment factory workers and journalists. The exhibition’s engaging theme and images attracted a lot of attention everywhere it travelled. The exhibit has also been displayed at various locations in Dhaka- at the DFID offices in March 2007, the Naripokkho Durbar Meeting in 2008, The Nagorik Adhikar Mela in 2010.

The photographic documentation of women’s lives enlivened the Pathways project by providing a visual record of the diversities in women’s journeys through change. It also enabled us to use some of the photographs later as visual materials for dissemination of our research including book covers for the various publications of the RPC.