About the Artists
Maisa Abu Ghazaleh is a Palestinian journalist based in East Jerusalem. She reports on protests, clashes, and daily life under occupation. Her work often places her in dangerous situations. In 2011, she was detained while covering an event at Al-Aqsa Mosque. In 2017, she was injured by a sound grenade during a protest. Maisa continues to report despite the risks. Through her lens, she shows the impact of violence on Palestinian communities, especially women. Her work brings attention to voices often ignored and sheds light on the situation on the ground.
Mona Elfateh is a Sudanese media and communications consultant. She has eight years of experience leading creative and advocacy campaigns. Her work blends storytelling, art direction, and digital media to speak on social justice and women’s rights. Mona has worked across sectors—from grassroots initiatives to international agencies. She uses visual tools like video and design to share real stories from Sudan. Her projects often center on women’s voices and community resilience. Through her creative work, Mona supports dialogue, healing, and collective action in times of crisis.
Jaella Fleurianna Pathé is a filmmaker and visual artist from the Central African Republic. She creates short films, photography, and video content that tell human stories and highlight social issues. Her films have been screened at international festivals, and she has won a national award for best short film. Jaella is committed to using visual storytelling as a tool for awareness, empowerment, and peacebuilding, especially in communities affected by conflict and inequality.
Laura Hasani is a seasoned Kosovar photojournalist with over 25 years of experience documenting pivotal moments and powerful stories across Kosovo. Her compelling images have been featured in international publications, including Reuters and Radio Free Europe. Her compelling images have been featured in international publications, including Reuters and Radio Free Europe. Notably, her photograph capturing a woman mourning during the International Day of the Disappeared in Pristina poignantly highlights the profound impact of conflict on women. Through her lens, Laura sheds light on the resilience and struggles of women in post-conflict Kosovo, contributing to a deeper understanding of their experiences. She highlights the lack of women engaged in photojournalism in Kosovo, and encourages women to join this profession.
All references to Kosovo should be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
Rita Kalaban is a Lebanese photojournalist based in Beirut, Lebanon. Focusing on stories rooted in culture, migration, protest, and the environment, Rita has covered pivotal moments like the Egyptian revolution, the refugee crisis in Europe, and the Lebanese protests. Along with documenting Lebanon’s waste crisis, she also teaches photography to migrant and local communities. Rita’s photography has been exhibited in Beirut and Seattle and featured in outlets including Al Jazeera English and Foreign Policy. She also curates exhibitions and contributes to the EveryDay Middle East Instagram account, using her lens to spotlight personal narratives and movements for social change.
Antonia Maria Nicolaides is a freelance photographer based in Nicosia, Cyprus, known for her experimental approach using film and darkroom techniques. Her work blends archival, documentary, and studio photography, often delving into themes of memory, history, and storytelling. Inspired by her late grandfather, who captured Cyprus’s post-independence years, she brings a deeply personal and reflective perspective to her art. She moves fluidly between personal and professional projects, always grounded in a strong visual narrative and a love for analogue processes.
Alice Ambrucer is a feminist and advocate for women’s rights, dedicated to amplifying the voices of women in her community. Along with her photography work, she works as a Women, Peace and Security Project Officer for UN Women in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, an area impacted by extremist violence. She supports project implementation while using photography to capture the strength, resilience, and leadership of women peacebuilders. Her work combines technical expertise and artistic expression to spotlight women’s vital role in building peace and to ensure their stories are seen and heard.
Gift Francisca Mwansa is a seasoned Assistant Superintendent officer with 16 years of service in the Zambia Police. She currently serves as the UN Police Public Information and Protocol Officer at UNISFA (United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei) in Abyei, focusing on visibility and communication. Her diverse background includes work in community policing, gender and child protection, mental health, and public relations. A mother of four and Elsie Initiative alumna, Gift’s story is one of resilience and advocacy, capturing not just images, but the strength of women in peacekeeping.
Narline Novembre is a Haitian photographer and social worker who uses visual storytelling to support community voices. For over six years, she has documented issues like urban violence and Haitian identity through photography and video. She works with local groups to teach young people creative skills and supports film projects that spotlight underrepresented stories. As part of a women-led film festival team, she promotes powerful narratives from across Haiti. Her work helps raise awareness and give voice to those often unheard, making her a strong advocate for change and peace through art.
Do Nsoseme Dora is a Congolese poet, slammer, and photographer whose work focuses on women’s rights and societal issues. Her photography blends documentary and conceptual styles, often featuring staged scenes to challenge traditional gender roles. Through her art, Do contributes to the Women, Peace, and Security agenda by promoting gender equality and encouraging dialogue on women’s roles in society in her native Democratic Republic of the Congo.
