Thank you so much for such an enthusiastic response to our Network-wide photography contest! Through submissions from around the world, we saw powerful moments of legal empowerment in action.
It has been immensely joyful for us to see impactful work being done, and we’re glad our photo storytelling training was helpful for some of you to hone your photography skills.
We’re happy to announce the winners!
The winning photo features a queer woman standing boldly near nature, her face adorned with vibrant, intricate paintings and framed by delicate flowers. I captured this image using my Canon 250D Mark II, drawn to the way her expression and the natural surroundings harmonized. I chose this subject to explore the intersection of femininity, resilience, and self-expression. The story I aimed to tell is one of strength and grace, celebrating the power of authenticity and the beauty of embracing one’s true identity in the context of the natural world
“Winning this contest is an incredible honor. It feels great to have my work recognized and appreciated, especially when photography can tell such powerful stories of identity and strength.”
– Charles Ogola Admin Officer/Photographer, Centre For Minority And Strategic Litigation (CMRSL), Mombasa ,Kenya.
Shahida Sarkar: A Voice Against Violence
The winning photo portrays a powerful moment during our campaign marking International Women’s Violence Prevention Day and World Human Rights Day. In the photo Shahida Sarkar is seen posting a bright, informative leaflet on a community wall as part of the community’s awareness drive. The leaflet carries the bold slogan, “We can stop the torture of women and children. The responsibility to stop the torture is now ours.” This photo highlights a grassroots effort to disseminate critical information to underserved communities, most of them working in the garments, tannery and leather goods industries. The choice to capture this subject was deliberate – posting leaflets on public walls symbolizes reaching the most marginalized and amplifying awareness in everyday spaces. This image represents resilience, determination, and the active role women leaders play in driving change at the community level.
This photo is a testament to how grassroots leadership, persistence, and awareness- building can challenge harmful norms and create safer spaces for women and children. The photo was taken during one of our courtyard meetings in Dhaka Uddyan, Mohammadpur, Dhaka. I chose this subject because it represents the essence of our campaign — bringing communities together to raise awareness and take collective action against violence.
“Winning this contest feels surreal and deeply rewarding. It’s an acknowledgment of the struggles and achievements of not just myself, but every woman and volunteer who participated in this campaign. This recognition amplifies our mission, inspiring others to join the fight against violence and build a more just and equitable society.”
– Md. Firoz Alam, Project Coordinator, Safety and Rights Society (SRS), Bangladesh
Our photo displays or shows the image of the two women members of FERAPAD our association who came from the community field of women of our group of Village Savings and Credit Association (AVEC). They each carry on their back a basket heavily loaded with cassavas. Crossing rivers, streams sometimes Lake Tanganyika with all the possible risks that they run (rape, assassinations, kidnappings…) in unsecured forests. This is to find something to eat for the families (the man and the children), find income for health care and the schooling of family members.
It is to first show the whole world the hidden dimensions of the sacrifices of the rural woman for the well-being of the family, to raise the voice of the rural woman by showing the world what she is capable of, and finally I took the photo of this subject to immortalize the love and passion of the woman for humanity.
“We believe that our victory in this competition is an open path, an opportunity that opens up to carry further the voices of rural women and girls in Fizi-Malinde, South Kivu and the whole of the DRC, why not all rural regions of Africa. This victory is a victory for all rural women in eastern DR Congo. It is one more voice that is added to our struggle. It is the rural woman who has won.”
– Divine Mulonge Kisali, Executive Secretary, Rural Women Friends of Peace and Development (FERAPAD asbl), The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
I took this photo during the Door-to-Door Awareness Program organized by Legal Aid and Consultancy Center (LACC) after COVID-19 with the aim to increase awareness in the community on gender-responsive communication, community engagement, and response mechanisms. I chose this moment as the subject of my photo to capture what legal awareness in the community looked like, even amidst the ongoing impact of the pandemic. The woman on the right, who received orientation from LACC on this topic, was sharing information with the community about gender-responsive communication, the role of the community, and the available response mechanisms at the local level. The photo also highlights the setting for exchanging information about their rights and the services provided by the state.
“Although I did not expect to win, I am truly grateful and deeply motivated by this unexpected achievement. Winning this contest has not only brought me immense joy, but it has also strengthened my determination to continue working passionately towards the causes I believe in. This recognition serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can make and fuels my commitment to furthering my efforts.”
– Anita Neupane Thapalia, Executive Director, Legal Aid and Consultancy Center (LACC), Nepal
I took my photo from a medium close-up, frontal and centered, where the intention was to show the text of the poster as the protagonist but without losing sight of the panorama in which I was at that moment. My choice for this photograph is due to I wanted to show the audience the social context and the situation. The person who proudly carries her sign is a defender of her rights as a worker in public and free education. In this photo I wanted to tell a very representative story for my country. : to show the social context related to the demonstrations of public education workers and students united en masse in a single claim in defense of free public universities. The writing on her poster, as well as her clothing, represent an authentic claim about the protagonist and those around her.
“Being the first time I have won a contest of this kind, it gives me satisfaction and happiness, not only to win, but also to know that what I wanted to convey through the image was positively interpreted in the eyes of the public and the organizers of the contest.”
– Ivana Daniela Duran, Administrative in the State of the Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I captured the photo using a phone.I chose to take a photo because I needed it in report feedback for the activity.
The photo captures a capacity building session for our peer educators at the Drop in Centre. I wanted to bring to light the concentration and dedication that our peer educators were putting in the session.
I feel very excited to win an award.
– Jean Kambugu, Comms and advocacy officer, Fem Alliance Uganda
I captured this photo in a classroom filled with natural light streaming through a single door and the 3 windows. I took a straightforward frontal perspective which allowed me to capture the facial expression and detail clearly. I opted for a centered composition to maintain balance and symmetry.
I used a Canon D90 to capture this photo. The camera was set to aperture f/5.3 a shutter speed of 1/30second, a focal length of 62:00mm and an ISO of 2000. This combination allowed me to capture the moment with a clear focus of the girl’s expression. The natural light from the door and windows complemented the settings to create a warm photo.
During a discussion on menstrual health, hygiene and management, I was compelled to take a photo because this girl was deeply immersed in reading the “Girl Talk Booklet” which educates girls all about menstruation. I chose this moment and scene because it beautifully represents education happening in real time. The girl’s focus amidst a full classroom shows the importance of educational resources such as books and promoting a culture of reading from a young age.
This photo narrates a powerful story of enlightenment. It shows how access to accurate information can transform the lives of young girls giving them confidence and understanding about their own bodies. This is a glimpse into a moment where education becomes a tool for change and empowerment.
“I am so honored to win in this category, it’s incredibly validating to have my work recognized. Storytelling through photography has always been a passion of mine which is why I have been dedicating time to learning how I can better my skills and this award is a testament to my dedication. This achievement inspires me to continue exploring and pushing boundaries of my photography. Thank you very much for such an honor.”
– Flavia Alimo, Just Like My Child Foundation-Uganda, Program Coordinator, Uganda
Please join us in congratulating the winners on social media
Thank you to all those who participated! We hope to do this photography contest annually, to create space for members’ to celebrate their work and to channel their creativity.