- LALEH -

‘Laleh’

As American forces withdres from Afghanistan, political unrest and violence broke out. Restrictive rules and regulations were thrust upon the population of Afghanistan. Afghan's are no longer able to function as the people they were before. For women, this change is the most extreme; what they can do, say, wear, or identify with is being restricted.

Tulips (Laleh in Persian) are the national flower of Afghanistan and the focus of this photographic project.

The distorted flowers draw parallels to the circumstances for Afghan women. The tulip appears trapped and warped, its true self and strength shielded from view. This reflects the disruption that the women and girls of Afghanistan are enduring, due to the dire political climate they now face.

Women for Afghan Women is a 20-year strong organisation that works to support women and girls in Afghanistan and the diaspora. They are the largest non-government Afghan women’s rights organisation on earth. In 2021, I sold prints from this series with all profits going directly to Women for Afghan Women.

Victoria