Tbilisi photo display highlights bodily autonomy of women, girls at Museum of Modern Art

A photographic exploration of the topic of bodily autonomy of women and girls is hosting visitors of Tbilisi's Museum of Modern Art venue, with works by photographer Dina Oganova also on sale for supporting a United Nations fund.

Launched throughout last weekend, the exhibition, entitled Tell Your Daughters, brings together portraits and stories of choices and challenges of over 20 featured women, centred around the issue of their ability to make independent decisions around their bodies.

The selection comes from the photographer recognised for her work in portraits, including around questions of women's rights and gender equality.

By means of the power of visual art and documentary photography, we want to explain why bodily autonomy is important for women and girls and what their empowerment means for society

- Exhibition organisers

Oganova is recognised for her work in portraits, in particular in projects around women's rights and gender equality. Photo: Gela Bedianashvili/UNFPA

Along with other recognitions, Oganova is a recipient of the 2021 International Women in Photography Award for Georgian equality champions for her project around the #MeToo movement, and of the 2019 Litera Award for her co-authoring of a documentary book with author Salome Benidze on the subject of women’s stories from the 2008 conflict between Russia and Georgia.

The MoMA display of her photographs uses the "powerful medium" of art to focus on bodily autonomy as a "cornerstone for achieving gender equality and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights", against assault, limiting of rights and forced decisions infringing on the autonomy of girl and women.

Organised by the United Nations Population Fund Georgia Office and the Embassy of Sweden, the exhibition will use funds raised from sale of featured photographs for the benefit of the United Nations Population Fund, through provision of essential reproductive health services to women and girls affected by war.

The display will host visitors through June 24 at the museum venue located at 27, Shota Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi.