WOMEN = RESILIENCE

was more important to her. And that is a very strong message for our young girls as well, who often don’t appreciate their opportunities.”

In a country, Malta where 30% less teens are signing up for and doing O’levels as compared to 10 years ago, this resounds loudly. Especially with girls who have overwhelmingly chosen to study less science subjects at an early age favoring instead subjects such as hairdressing and care-work which is being offered in the hope that the aging population will find local workers to fill up gaps in care homes. The opportunity to further one’s studies is being flushed down the drain because of the ease to find work with the civil service, and the valuing of income above the respect for knowledge while most persons in developing countries would do anything for the opportunity to acquire an education.

Speaking about the series of photos Finding Freedom in the Water, Sweden’s Ambassador to Malta, Andrés Jato, said “It is remarkable in a sense that these women live on an island surrounded by the sea and beach and are not able to swim. It is the total opposite of empowerment in a sense.” He also highlighted the progress that these images represent: “you can see change going on, these women are learning how to swim, and they are taught by women. It is change for women by women.”

Ambassador of the Netherlands to Malta, Djoeke Adimi-Koekkoek, spoke about the dire situation in Yemen, depicted at the exhibition by Fatima who is fishing, traditionally a male occupation. “I have lived in Yemen for almost 13 years and the people of Yemen are so close to my heart. I have seen it, there is so much poverty and suffering by women in Yemen. On the index of where you have the worst chance of success born being a girl, Yemen has been listed as the worst country in the world in 2019.”

The World Press Photo Foundation is based in Amsterdam and was founded in 1955. It remains one of the most influential bodies when it comes to largely uncensored photographic material - with images that have changed the course of history. The exhibition succeeded in increasing the visibility of women in conflict zones and visually emphasises their role in conflict resolution and survival.

DR JOANNA DELIA