Women in Afghanistan have walked a thin line between war and peace for many decades. They have had years of independence and great periods of oppression. Rights have been granted, taken away, and restored — a pattern of instability compounded by a series of violent wars. And yet these women continue, as they always have, to survive. They have braved laws and cultural norms that have demanded their isolation and ignorance and found ways to become educated, even when that has meant risking death. The fall of the Taliban in 2001 meant an end to a politically enforced misogyny — but not an end to many practices that threaten the very existence of women. The simple act of forcing a girl younger than 16 to wed, as happens to more than half of the girls in Afghanistan, despite the fact that it is illegal, can almost guarantee her a life of poverty, illiteracy, and potential death during childbirth. But the end of the Taliban also meant the establishment of a constitution that ensures women are represented in government, a resurgence of opportunities for female education, and an explosion of women’s businesses. Implementation of the constitution and changing of cultural norms that are destructive to women will require an unparalleled effort at every level of society. The international photographers and writers who have contributed their insight into the region provide an opportunity to move past our stereotypes and assumptions of what life might be like behind a burqa. They allow us to learn about the complex, tough, and changing world being navigated by the women of Afghanistan.
Participating artists: Lynsey Addario, Paula Bronstein, Jean Chung, Ron Haviv, Jared Moossy, Moises Saman, Stephanie Sinclair, Abbie Traylor-Smith, Véronique de Viguerie, Farzana Wahidy.
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 15:00-19:00, Saturday: 10:00-14:00