A new exhibition in Brussels is shining a spotlight on the diverse experiences of women from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, offering visitors an intimate look at identity, resilience, and social change through documentary photography.
The exhibition, titled “Many Faces of Womanhood,” is displayed at Mont des Arts and features a series of striking portraits arranged in triangular compositions. Opened in connection with Europe Day, it brings together more than 70 participants and visitors for a dialogue on gender, representation, and lived experiences across the region.
Organised by UN Women, the exhibition uses visual storytelling to highlight the complexity of womanhood, moving beyond stereotypes and traditional roles. Each portrait is paired with personal narratives that reflect the challenges and strengths of women in different social and political contexts.
The featured stories include women from various professions such as entrepreneurship, public service, sports, arts, and activism. Among them are individuals whose lives reflect both everyday struggles and extraordinary resilience, particularly in regions affected by conflict and social change.
Speakers at the exhibition opening emphasized the importance of visibility and representation in advancing gender equality. The event also highlighted persistent regional challenges, including unpaid care work, limited access to education and employment opportunities for young women, and ongoing issues of gender-based violence.
The exhibition presents 36 portraits of 12 women, encouraging visitors to reflect on the multiple roles women navigate in society and how these identities are shaped by cultural expectations and structural barriers.
Open to the public until mid-June, the exhibition continues to serve as a platform for dialogue, awareness, and reflection on gender equality and social transformation across Europe and Central Asia.
