An exhibition of powerful photographs and films by award-winning British photographer and filmmaker Nick Danziger tells the stories of eleven women living in conflict zones during the first decade of the 21st century.
In 2001, the ICRC commissioned British photographer Nick Danziger to capture a series of intimate portraits of eleven women living in some of the world's most notorious war zones. Travelling to countries such as Afghanistan, Bosnia and Colombia, Nick's photograph collection 'Eleven Women Facing War' provided a powerful insight into the often-hidden world of women caught up in vicious conflict.
A decade on, Nick decided to retrace his steps and find the women he had photographed all those years ago. Unsure of what he would discover, Nick's new photos and short films, being shown for the first time in the UK, reveal emotional and inspiring stories of personal struggle, tragedy and remarkable strength.
The Eleven Women Facing War exhibition will be on display at London's Imperial War Museum from 4 February until 24 April 2016. The collection will feature 33 photographs and 11 short films, each three minutes long, from eight conflict zones around the world: Bosnia, Kosovo, Israel, Gaza, Hebron (West Bank), Sierra Leone, Colombia and Afghanistan.
"We are delighted to see Nick's exhibition on display here in London," said Paul Castella, head of the ICRC mission to the UK and Ireland. "His photos provide an important insight into the devastating and often hidden impact of war on women and girls. In today's conflicts, the impact of fighting on women and girls – as well as on men and boys – is severe, and these photos capture that in a very powerful way."
"We often talk about the victims of war," Nick pointed out. "I hope these images and stories are a tribute to these women's indomitable spirit, endurance and bravery.
His journey to find out what had become of the women was tinged with both joy and sadness.
Stories from the collection include that of Mah Bibi, a ten-year-old orphan from Afghanistan. When he photographed her, she was begging for food for herself and two younger brothers. Ten years later, Nick discovered she had vanished without trace and is sadly believed to have died in 2006. Other stories are more uplifting, such as that of Mariatu, whose hands were forcibly amputated by guerrilla soldiers in Sierra Leone's bitter civil war. Nick first met her at one of the country's rehabilitation centres and has since discovered she is now safe and well and living in Canada.
"The stories we see in the photographs are incredibly powerful and a true testament to the horrors of war and the power of the human spirit," said Charlotte Lindsey Curtet, the ICRC's director of communication and information management.
"As the guardian and promoter of international humanitarian law, the ICRC is deeply concerned about the impact of war on women and girls," she continued. "Rape, forced prostitution and other forms of sexual violence are just some of the terrible things that can affect women in war, along with separation from families or loss of loved ones and livelihoods. This exhibition aims both to shine a light on the impact of war and to remind us of the vulnerabilities and strengths of people caught up in armed conflict."
For more details about the exhibition, please see the Imperial War Museum website.
Photo: Mariatu, one of the 11 women featured in the exhibition. © Nick Danziger