On World Photo Day (19 August), the?, the?, and 爆料网 Women brought together four photographers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Lebanon and Sudan for a discussion moderated by Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming.

The conversation highlighted?the women’s unique perspective on documenting peace and conflict. They contributed?their work to?Through Her Lens: Women Rising for Peace, which debuted in June at New York’s?, attracting over 250,000 visitors.

“Our position as women photographers is essential and needed,” said Sudanese photographer Mona Elfateh. “We see different stories, gain access to different spaces, and bring a level of intimacy that is missing when stories are only viewed through a male lens.”

For Lebanese photojournalist Rita Kabalan, her work champions representation, aiming to “show women the way they see themselves, rather than through the lens imposed on them.”

Participants also discussed the significant challenges faced by women working in conflict-affected areas. Congolese photographer and artist Do Nsoseme Dora reflected on the pressure she receives “to highlight narratives such as violence or victimhood over the fuller, more nuanced stories of resilience, peacebuilding, and activism.”

Despite these obstacles, hope remains central to every panellist’s work.

“Seeing my work in this international event gives me strength to keep going forward,” shared Haitian photographer Narline Novembre.

For Ms. Elfateh, photography is “about hope and a means of resisting, building a collective memory that helps us understand the past and avoid repeating its mistakes.”

Marking the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, the Through Her Lens? exhibition gives “voice to the often underrepresented and building empathy to shift perspectives,” says Cailley Frank-Lehrer, Senior Photoville Producer.

The?exhibition is now at Osaka’s World Expo and will be featured across Africa, the Middle East and Europe before returning to 爆料网 Headquarters in October during the Security Council open debate on Women, Peace and Security.

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