An interesting, serious exhibition just opened at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool and a timely reminder of why we still need events such as this week’s International Women’s Day.
One of the women featured in the exhibition, Rebecca Kamara, came to Liverpool for the launch. She started by helping the photographer Lee Karen Stow with the administration and learnt so much that she has since set up her own photography business and studio in her home town.
Sierra Leone in West Africa is ranked by the United Nations as one of the poorest countries in the world and shockingly women’s life expectancy is in the mid 40s.
Lee Karen Stow says: “Despite positive steps to improve women’s lives in the developing world, too many women still suffer immense hardship and despair. Women do not have equal access to education, economic opportunities, health facilities or social freedoms. This is not just happening in Sierra Leone, it is happening elsewhere. My aim for the exhibition is to show that these women, and women in similar circumstances, should be given the right to live, not die.”
‘42’ Women of Sierra Leone features images from a collection of work by freelance photojournalist Lee Karen Stow who has spent the last four years visiting the African country. The selection of 42 colour photographs, some of which have never been seen before, document women and their daily lives at home, at work and with their families. Each image captures the many emotions experienced by these women including joy, courage and most importantly, hope.
You can read more about the project on Lee’s website: www.leekarenstow.com
The exhibition forms part of Look11 – Liverpool International Photography Festival. Launched in May, this is the first photography festival to be held in the city.www.look2011.co.uk
There are various events around Women’s Day at NML http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/events/womensday_events.aspx
’42’ Women of Sierra Leone
at The International Slavery Museum
04 March 2011 – 15 April 2012
