A powerful photography exhibit featuring the portraits of women impacted by female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is currently on display at the Photoville Festival in Brooklyn, New York.
Photographer Miora Rajaonary has captured the stories of eight women, including Sylvia Razanaparana, to raise awareness of this neglected tropical disease affecting an estimated 56 million women and girls, especially in Africa.
FGS is a waterborne infection caused by parasitic worms, predominantly found in regions with limited access to clean water and health care.
Women often contract FGS through contact with infected water while working in rice fields, bathing, or doing laundry.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease is considered one of the most neglected tropical diseases, and its symptoms can lead to significant health complications, including infertility and ectopic pregnancies.
Due to the similarity of its symptoms, such as vaginal itchiness and abdominal pain, to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), those affected often face stigma, shame, and dishonor.
UNAIDS refers to FGS as “underdiagnosed,” indicating severe implications for women’s sexual and reproductive health, and warns that it is linked to an increased risk of contracting HIV.
While men can also get FGS, the WHO emphasizes that the clinical signs and complications are more prevalent in women.
Sylvia Razanaparana’s personal journey brings the issue to life; she contracted FGS while working in the rice fields of Ambanja, Madagascar.
Her husband accused her of infidelity due to her STD-like symptoms, leading to their separation.
After suffering silently for four years, Sylvia finally accessed a doctor during a medical mission, who promptly diagnosed her and prescribed praziquantel, curing her infection.
Rajaonary was deeply moved by Razanaparana’s story, making it a focal point in her exhibit, titled Sahy Rano, which translates to “someone who is not afraid to dive into the water, even if there is a strong current.”
The phrase also connotes bravery, a fitting description of the women sharing their stories and confronting the stigma surrounding FGS.
Rajaonary, who hails from Madagascar, received support for her work from the End Fund, which combats neglected tropical diseases.
The title of the project highlights the hardships faced by women like Razanaparana, who must continue to return to the same contaminated water sources for their livelihoods.
To promote this message, the women in the photographs wear traditional Malagasy face masks, crafted from cosmetic paste and ground sandalwood.
These masks serve both an aesthetic purpose and as protection for the skin, allowing the women to display pride in their culture while publicly discussing a taboo topic.
Rajaonary noted that these masks are not just popular in Madagascar; they are also an attractive part of the cultural heritage, worn even during holidays.
The backdrop of the photographs adds a poignant visual layer — a prepared sea blue canvas adorned with white dots symbolizes the parasites infesting the local waters.
To further contextualize the women’s narratives, a laundry rope stretches across the backdrop, displaying the women’s clothing as if freshly washed from contaminated waters.
“This is their clothing, their laundry, what they wear and how they live,” Rajaonary explained, underscoring the intimate connection between the women and the water that has caused them harm.
The colorful buckets prominently featured in the photographs serve as a reminder of the omnipresence of water in the lives of these women.
Through this evocative exhibit, Rajaonary aims not only to spark conversations about FGS but also to encourage understanding and empathy for those affected by this silent epidemic.
As the festival continues, the stories and strength of these women resonate, calling attention to the urgent need for awareness and action to combat neglected tropical diseases worldwide.
image source from：npr
