Afghanistan: “A Fragile Peace”Exhibition of Paula Bronstein's photography

 

 

February - March

 

This photo exhibition of Paula Bronstein's work offers a “slice of life” in Afghanistan, looking at the worn-torn country starting in late 2001 to present day.

Afghanistan is a country in transition, experiencing a very “ fragile peace”. Over the last two years violence has increased in the country to an alarming level as the Taliban continue to show they can successfully carry out brazen attacks inside Kabul, most recently attacking the Ministry of Justice last month. Pakistan is accused of exporting its problems, pushing more of the radical fighters across the Afghan border. In addition to the many problems, there is a growing disillusionment with the government and with that brings fears that the Taliban will continue gaining strength as it uses more “Iraq-style” tactics moving into some rural districts closer to Kabul.

Although women have more freedom then before they still maintain a classic subordinate position in the Afghan society where conservative Islamic laws and traditions dictate what a female is allowed to do in a male dominated world. In the worst cases, violence against women is not under control by any means and women are attempting to commit suicide by self-immolation to escape their horrific lives.

Afghanistan still remains the world's largest producers of opium, which is refined into heroin for sale in many parts of the world. The fight against the narcotics economy is a slow and arduous process. The price of heroin is so cheap on the streets of Kabul, a day’s supply costs about $3.00 US dollars thus making it an easy temptation.

Paula Bronstein is a senior staff photographer with Getty Images since 2002. She has been working as a photojournalist for over 25 years covering a variety of news and features, natural disasters, wars, photographing in various conflict zones. After September 11, 2001 she was assigned to cover Pakistan and Afghanistan, and since that time has been covering the issues closely in the region returning to Afghanistan frequently.

She has won numerous awards for her work over the years and exhibited in many different countries. Among some of the prizes are World Press Photo to Overseas Press Club-John Faber award, Pictures of the Year (POY-I), National Press Photographer’s Assoc. (NPPA), China’s Photo of the year.

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