Photo-exhibition “Women on the frontline of the response to COVID-19”
Within the campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” 15 women share stories of courage and resilience during the pandemic
Kazakhstan, November 30, 2020 – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) presents the online photo-exhibition “Women on the frontline of the response to COVID-19” to showcase Kazakhstan’s female doctors, volunteers, lawyers, advocates and activists are part of a gallery of photo images and backstage videos showing their selfless assistance to others during one of the deadliest pandemics in recent history.
The project was inspired by actress, activist and founder of “Bope” Foundation for the Modernisation of Family and Marriage Institute and with the support of a creative team including photographer Baurdzhan Bismildin, videographer Vanya Abramov, and journalist Oksana Vassilenko.
“When we talk about the global campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” it is very easy to fall into the trap of portraying women as victims or as being weak. Our exhibition’s goal is to counterbalance this by sharing the images and stories of women who are strong, resilient, resourceful and determined, - says Giulia Vallese, UNFPA Representative in Kazakhstan and Country Director for Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. “With this exhibition we would like to share stories of empowerment, stories of women who have overcome difficulties, have helped others sometimes at the expense of their own health. You will see and read about a woman who worked in a laboratory on a round-the clock basis and barely saw her family; women who were providing psychological help; legal advice or arranged deliveries to those most in need.”
Gynaecologist and midwife Ademi Zhidebayeva has been on the frontline of the fight with COVID-19 since the 8th of March.
“There were many difficult cases. I still remember a pregnant woman diagnosed with COVID-19 with 72% lung damage. She remained in intensive care for a long time and we had a number of emergency meetings. She finally recovered and left the hospital with a healthy baby,” – said Ademi Zhidebayeva.
“Despite the fact that we are presenting only 15 stories, we realize that the number of women with stories of extraordinary courage could be endless. So many of these stories moved us to tears. I think that the main take-away for me personally was that the exhibition is a seed of kindness. Behind every photograph of a woman there is a story of inspiration and of commitment, there is work that they all did to save and support other people” – said actress, activist and inspirer of the project Ainur Ilyasova.
The 15 photographs and documentary-styled interviews as well as short essays about the women’s contribution to resolving the COVID19-related crisis can be found on the website http://www.womenincovid19.com/ and are also being printed with support from the UN Resident Coordinator’s office. They will be on display for two weeks from December 1st, 2020 in Mega Silkway (010000, Qabanbay Batyr Ave 62, Nur-Sultan 010000) and in the airport of Nur-Sultan for the two weeks thereafter.
You can watch the online presentation on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UnfpaInKazakhsta or by a preliminary registration at this link https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BKRO1vsNSZSY0OrhUX1ovA.
For more information and media enquiries please contact Dina Teltayeva at email Teltayeva@unfpa.org or by cell phone +7 701 765 40 10.
