Despite concerted efforts to achieve equality, women’s voices are frequently marginalised and even suppressed around the world. Not only does this lead to an unfortunate lack of diversity but can literally put women’s issues out of sight. Organised by the the International Women Photographers Association (IWPA), the International Women Photographers Award are part of the initiatives taken to address the situation. Its aim is to promote women photographers around the world and to increase their visibility.

An image submitted by the finalist Laetitia Vancon for the 2018 edition of the International Women Photographers Award

The IWPA was established by four female photographers – Séverine Blanchet (France), Chris Tan (China), Nirmala Karupia (India), and Soraya Ismail (Malaysia).  Initially launched in 2001 in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), the organisation shifted base to France in 2011. It invites female photographers, irrespective of their nationality, to enter the annual photography competition. The shortlisted photos of the finalists become part of an itinerant photography exhibition jointly organised by Antidote Art and Design, (IWPA), MyArtSpy, and Alliance Française Dubai.

An image submitted by the finalist Tahmineh Monzavi for the 2018 edition of the Award

For the 2018 edition of the exhibition, the works of 11 photographers were shortlisted amongst more than 600 entries from 82 different countries in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and South America. The participants could choose between either the free theme or the IWPA theme for 2018 Visible/Invisible. The resulting exhibition will be on display in India in Delhi (Aug 3-12), Hyderabad (Aug 27-Sept 23), and Bangalore (Sept 28-Oct 12).

An image submitted by the finalist Elahe Abdolahaba for the 2018 edition of the Award

The Laureate of the 2018 competition is Constanza Portnoy from Argentina. Her powerful and deeply moving series Force of Life portrays the life of people with disabilities. With deep compassion and trust, Constanza buit a compelling relationship with each of her subjects which led to her stunning images. The other finalists whose works are also part of the exhibition include Manyatsa Monyamane (South Africa), Loulou Daki (Sweden), Annalisa Natali Murri (Italy), Estelle Lagarde (France), Laetitia Vancon (France), Tahmineh Monzavi (Iran), Elahe Abdolahaba (Iran), Alice Mann (South African), Shu-Chen Chen (Taiwan), and Marylise Vigneau (France).

An image submitted by Constanza Portnoy – the winner of the 2018 edition of the Award

Siddharth Bhatt

Rédaction, AF Magazine Inde-Népal