Since the exit of the United States’s armed forces from Afghanistan in 2021, the rich country has been pulverized by the demands and edict of the Taliban. If you have seen the events unfold over the years, you can imagine the struggles many individuals face daily to survive. The situation, due to the patriarchal rule, is far worse for women, where the Taliban hopes to silence their voices from society. It’s as if they want to wipe their existence from the face of the earth. In times such as this, it becomes imperative that we do not forget the women who are fighting for their lives and liberation. And that’s why No Woman’s Land, a photography exhibition by Canadian-Iranian photojournalist Kiana Hayeri and French researcher Mélissa Cornet, becomes even more paramount for us to attend.
The lead image is by Kiana Hayeri, courtesy of Fondation Carmignac. All images are used with permission.
A Photography Exhibition With A Cause
The powerful reportage images in No Woman’s Land depict the harsh reality of Afghan women and girls, and the photography exhibition hopes to raise awareness about the restrictions imposed on them. The series, which won the Carmignac Photojournalism Award this year, portrays how women have been facing systematic oppression, which is not just a women’s rights issue but a humanitarian crisis that needs urgent intervention.
In this photography exhibition, viewers will be greeted by poignant and searing images from Kiana. She and Mélissa traveled to seven provinces, documenting stories of over 100 women and girls who have been banned from education, employment, and public life.
But that is not all; the duo has also collaborated with Afghan girls to highlight their stories from their perspective, their courage, and resilience in the face of danger. Thus, the photography exhibition will incorporate photographs, archival materials, videos, texts, and art produced by them. Scenographer Alice de Bortoli and her collective, Ortiche, designed this segment.
No Woman’s Land will also feature an outdoor photography exhibition to complement the indoor display. The exhibition will occur at the Port de Solférino, opposite the Musée d’Orsay. The open-air installation seeks to attract a wider audience, as the matter is urgent, whether one likes to agree or not.
No Woman’s Land Should be a Part of Daily Discourse
What Kiana and Mélissa achieved in six months offers a very brief glimpse into the daily challenges that women faced. In more recent news from the region, the Taliban keeps introducing new rules, which have nothing to do with the religion. For instance, polio vaccines have now been suspended in the region. This comes after women were asked to leave every public sphere and live in the confines of their homes.
The fact that we live in 2024 and still are unable to help Afghan women says a lot about our priorities. projects such as No Woman’s Land are little reminders that nothing has changed in this modern age. We are selective about our politics, and our concerns with human rights end the minute something becomes a bit too inconvenient for us. With this project, the hope remains that Afghan women’s rights are fiercely fought for, just like any other wrong in the world. If we don’t speak now, I am afraid that we have collectively led down women who look up to us for help.
The photography exhibition will be displayed at Réfectoire des Cordeliers in Paris, France, as part of the PhotoSaintGermain festival. It begins on October 25 and ends on November 18.