Global Fund for Women Regional Convening in Amman, Jordan, Day 2

Bowerbird Photography January 21, 2014

The Global Fund for Women's Convening of NGO delegates from the Middle East/North Africa region started yesterday with inspiring discussions from panel members on the condition of women's rights in their home countries. Having participated in the drafting of Egypt's new constitution and having advocated successfully for the inclusion of language that advances women's rights in her country, Hoda Elsadda spoke powerfully about getting governments to listen to women and legislate change. Hannan Al Sana shared the impact her organization, Sidreh, is making to empower Bedouin women who have been marginalized by the state and suffer severe economic inequality. Nevin Oztop reported on the LGBTQ movement in Turkey and the Middle East, and the way creative protest is finding expression on the streets. Once cultural and national contexts were understood, discussion turned to the work that needs to be done, and participants supported each other in developing strategies to advance women's rights in their own countries.

Global Fund for Women Regional Convening in Amman, Jordan. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014. — Global Fund for Women Regional Convening in Amman, Jordan. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014.

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Bowerbird Photography published on the Kaos GL website

Bowerbird Photography January 21, 2014

We are meeting amazing women activists here in Amman at the Global Fund for Women MENA Convening, including Nevin, who works with Kaos GL, an awesome LGBTQI NGO in Turkey. Check out her write-up about yesterday's events (and our photos!) on the Kaos GL blog.

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Global Fund for Women Regional Convening in Amman, Jordan, Day 1

Bowerbird Photography January 20, 2014

We have only been in Amman for a day, but after listening to stories from dozens of women from Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, Egypt, Turkey, Palestine, Iran, and Jordan, to name a few, we feel like we've been traveling in the Middle East/ North Africa (MENA) region for much longer. The story of the women's movement in the MENA region has, unfortunately, been given little voice, even though so much political and social change has occurred in the last few years. That's one reason why we feel so honored to have the opportunity to document a slice of the unfolding history of the women's rights movement here and to help tell the courageous stories of these women at such a crucial moment in history. Yesterday, we photographed a gathering of leaders participating in the Global Fund for Women's MENA convening to discuss strategies for building on the momentum for change to improve the rights of women and girls.

The event started last night with a reception at the Landmark Hotel, where participants were assembled with all the joyousness of a reunion of friends who have not seen each others in years. Here's a peek from the gathering last night :)

View from the hotel. Global Fund for Women Regional Convening in Amman, Jordan. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014. — View from the hotel. Global Fund for Women Regional Convening in Amman, Jordan. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014.

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Traveling to the Middle East

Bowerbird Photography January 14, 2014

First stop: Amman, Jordan. We are thrilled to be traveling to the Middle East later this week with the Global Fund for Women. Keep updated on our blog and on the Global Fund's social media sites, starting next week!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

The Global Fund for Women's 25th Anniversary Gala

Bowerbird Photography January 10, 2014

In October we had the opportunity to photograph and sponsor a wonderful event, the Global Fund for Women's 25th Anniversary Gala at Fort Mason. The evening was filled with inspiring speeches, among some standouts were by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee and author Isabel Allende. It was an honor to join the Global Fund for Women in celebrating an amazing 25 years of difference-making.

We are also excited to announce that next week we will be traveling to the Middle East, on commission by the Global Fund for Women, to document many of the organizations they are working with in the region. We are beyond thrilled to be able to contribute to such an incredible social justice non-profit and to photograph their amazing work!

Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee and Author Jane Sloane. The Global Fund for Women's 25th Anniversary Gala. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014. — Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee and Author Jane Sloane. The Global Fund for Women's 25th Anniversary Gala. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014.

The Global Fund for Women's 25th Anniversary Gala. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014. — The Global Fund for Women's 25th Anniversary Gala. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014.

Musimbi Kanyoro. The Global Fund for Women's 25th Anniversary Gala. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014. — Musimbi Kanyoro. The Global Fund for Women's 25th Anniversary Gala. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014.

Author Isabel Allende. The Global Fund for Women's 25th Anniversary Gala. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014. — Author Isabel Allende. The Global Fund for Women's 25th Anniversary Gala. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014.

Stay tuned for photos from our trip to the Middle East :)

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam