UN Trinidad and Tobago Joint PhotoVoice Exhibit Amplifying Women’s Voices Draws 700+

Students at the University of the West Indies' St. Augustine Campus listen intently to the stories shared. In the background, others jot down feedback, reflecting on the stories told.

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 14 April, 2025 – More than 700 people participated in the United Nations’ PhotoVoice Exhibition hosted on the 27th and 28th March at East Gates Mall and 3rd and 4th April at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. This compelling multimedia initiative commemorated International Women’s Day and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, spotlighting real experiences of women and girls through powerful photography and first-person storytelling, and acknowledging their resilience and courage.

The exhibition was organised jointly by five UN agencies including UN Women, UNHCR, WFP, UNFPA, and UNCDF in partnership with the Institute of Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.

Some members of the UN Communications Group who helped coordinate the activity. From left to right: Monifa Monderoy (UNFPA), Kalifa Clyne (UNHCR), Sonia-Ria Williams (UN Women Multi-Country Office – Caribbean), and Marielle Dick (Resident Coordinator’s Office)

Under the theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” the PhotoVoice initiative featured eight women in Trinidad and Tobago, including youth advocates, farmers, survivors of Gender-based Violence, migrants, entrepreneurs and civil society leaders who came together to share their lived experiences captured through a combination of still images and recorded testimonials. Each of the photos shown during the exhibition was taken in a meaningful location chosen by the participant—be it their home, workplace, or community space—and paired with a one-minute audio recording capturing why that moment mattered.

(L-R) Laura Persad, a featured participant and farmer. In her story, she spoke on the urgent need for climate resilience in agriculture and how farmers must adapt to the challenges of climate change. Imani Charles, gender advocate and student at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, shared her coming-of-age story, reflecting on how differing treatment from men in her village shaped her experience as a young woman.
 

“This exhibition served as very powerful reminder of the progress that has been made, and the remaining challenges that both women and men are still facing in the country. One such challenge is the issue of violence. Through the stories of eight remarkable women and girls, this exhibition inspired an open dialogue about women's rights” said Joanna Kazana, UN Resident Coordinator in Trinidad and Tobago.

Je’nille Maraj, Planning and Coordination Specialist at UN Women Multi-Country Office - Caribbean said: “As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the blueprint for advancing women’s rights and gender equality, we must take stock of how our women and girls, and young people, experience the world today. The issues we face in our lifetime have the potential to become insurmountable challenges as young people transition into adulthood, if we do not recommit to addressing insecurity, reducing poverty, and giving women voice, choice and safety. The Joint UN PhotoVoice exhibition was a meaningful and effective way to engage women and men, and youth voices, providing a platform for them to voice their concerns and to share new and emerging perspectives across critical areas of concern.”

Some of the featured women visited the exhibit at East Gates Mall to engage with members of the public and speak to the media to amplify their stories. L-R, Darians Machado, Roslyn George, Laura Persad and Imani Charles. Photo Compliments: UN Resident Coordinator’s Office – Trinidad and Tobago/ Marielle Dick

UNHCR Head of Office Amanda Solano Badilla: “Darians, an asylum-seeker who participated in the exhibit, is a powerful example of a woman empowering others through her entrepreneurial spirit and her testimony of resilience. Supporting women like Darians is crucial to building a more equitable and just society. By investing in their potential and amplifying their voices, we can foster inclusive and sustainable solutions that benefit everyone. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action recognizes the unique challenges faced by refugee and displaced women, including those who are internally displaced. It calls for targeted actions to address their needs and considers that forcibly displaced women are not just survivors, they are leaders and agents of change. Their knowledge, skills, and lived experience are fundamental in shaping solutions that impact their lives and must be meaningfully included in decision-making processes.”

In addition to viewing powerful photographs and listening to stories using tablets and headphones, the 700+ visitors had the opportunity to share their reflections via feedback stations, video message recordings and handwritten notes addressed to the featured women. These avenues sparked meaningful community engagement, with many of the messages conveying heartfelt words of encouragement, solidarity, and unwavering support.

This article was originally published by United Nations Trinidad and Tobago.