Photo-Installation by Lida Hamid

Location: Ioakimion Girls High School

15.11.2024 – 30.11.2024

Boys and girls attend a school with the support of a local NGO called Action for Development. Date: March 2021, five months before the Taliban took over the control in Afghanistan. The girls and boys participated in daily classes from 8 AM to 11 AM, where they learned about literature, mathematics, and Islamic studies. They were the youngest, cutest, and smartest students in their class compared to others. Their innocent, beautiful eyes were brimming with love and passion for learning. They worked tirelessly from morning until evening, and these 3 hours of class are a break from work that they didn’t want to miss.

These photos are presented in the former Greek Girls School in Fener and showcase the need for education independent of any ethical, gender or social background for girls and boys.

Musawer, a bright young boy, comes from a family struggling to make ends meet. However, Musawer’s life took a hopeful turn when a local NGO, Action for Development, stepped in. Recognizing the potential in children like Musawer, the organization provided him with the financial and educational support needed to attend school. Now, as a student, Musawer’s life is filled with the promise of new opportunities, learning, and the hope of one day uplifting his family from poverty.

Lida Hamid is a young Afghan Photographer living in Kabul. She describes the change in the education system as a shift from a goal to foster equality to one supporting segregation. With the separationor restriction of girls in some places, education has changed significantly, impacting
opportunities and creating a divide. This shift affects not only individual futures but also thebroader progress of society, as boys and girls lose out on diverse perspectives and a balanced, inclusive education she underlines.

Her life as a female Photographer changed a lot.

“Previously, we could work more freely, especially in documenting everyday life, culture, and social dynamics, including capturing moments involving both men and women. Photography allowed us to document stories openly, exploring diverse themes and perspectives that represented the richness of our communities. Now, restrictions on freedom of expression and limitations on photographing certain subjects,especially women and cultural events, have made it much harder to operate as I once did. Fear of censorship or punishment has increased, and there are far fewer opportunities to engage in projects that involve topics like education, gender equality, and social transformation. This situation limits my ability to tell important stories, especially those that give voice to women and marginalized communities, which was once a significant aspect of my work. This shift has affected my creativity, freedom, and vision as a photographer, as well as my overall ability to reach and inspire broader audiences with impactful images.” (Lida Hamid)