ALLIANCE Française de Durban and the Durban Botanic Gardens, in collaboration with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), are hosting the international exhibition, Women in Resistance (Femmes en résistance), by French photographer, Pierre-Yves Ginet.

The work, which will be on show in the Sunken Gardens at the Durban Botanic Gardens from June 20, aims to recognise the struggle, contribution and sacrifice of women around the world.

The exhibition is an essay of portraits with bilingual English and French text. It features 25 photo panels of 25 groups of women in 25 countries — from the fight of Congolese women for victims of sexual violence, to the fight of Tibetan nuns in Asia for education, and the fight of Argentinian women against dictatorship.

“Women represent more than half of humanity but many are still today, excluded from their country’s economic, political and social life. They are more vulnerable to poverty, lack of education and wars,” says Ginet.

In his work, the photographer wanted to depart from the stereotypical representation of women as victims. Instead his images give priority to the struggles led by many of them.

“I have always been a traveller and then I started taking pictures as a tourist,” says Ginet. “From 1991, I had a dual role of photo amateur journalist.

“I was a financial analyst at the time and used up unpaid leave, but from 1998, I became 100% committed to being a photojournalist.

“For me, the ultimate journey was Tibet, in 1991. I was shocked by the destruction of the heritage. Under the ubiquitous Chinese army, Tibetans are reduced to begging and there is rampant prostitution.

“The shock was there: it was an encounter with the reality that I did not expect. I went as a tourist and I came back as a journalist.”

Theres is a local, interactive element to this art project on Facebook.

The page Women in Resistance Exhibition, Durban & KZN is open to all and the idea is for participants to go to the exhibition take a selfie in front of the Women in Resistance Exhibition, Durban & KZN backdrop and to upload it to the Facebook page with an inspiring text.

• Women in Resistance/Femmes en Résistance is at the Sunken Garden in the Durban Botanic Gardens, from June 20 to July 10. Admission is free.