Freedom to Create
World
Walter Astrada
Main Prize - 2009
Violence Against Women
Artform: Photography
Walter travelled to East Congo at the beginning of 2009 to document a new weapon of war - rape. In the region, thousands of women have been and continue to be raped with total impunity by all sides in the conflict. He says in South Kivu County alone, 14,200 women and young girls were raped in two years. His East Congo portfolio is part of a larger piece called Violence Against Women. "Behind the figures are individual women made from flesh and bone whose dignity, autonomy and health are constantly under theat. The consequences of violence against women are devastating; survivors regularly suffer from emotional disorders and mental health problems...not to mention those who meet their death," he says.
Main Prize - 2009
Violence Against Women
Artform: Photography
Walter travelled to East Congo at the beginning of 2009 to document a new weapon of war - rape. In the region, thousands of women have been and continue to be raped with total impunity by all sides in the conflict. He says in South Kivu County alone, 14,200 women and young girls were raped in two years. His East Congo portfolio is part of a larger piece called Violence Against Women. "Behind the figures are individual women made from flesh and bone whose dignity, autonomy and health are constantly under theat. The consequences of violence against women are devastating; survivors regularly suffer from emotional disorders and mental health problems...not to mention those who meet their death," he says.
Walter recently won the 2010 Sony World Photography Awards for Current Affairs, in the Photojouranlism and Documentary category.
See www.worldphotographyawards.org for more details.
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