Forsaken

In March 2004, when award-winning photographer Lana Slezic went on assignment to Afghanistan from her native Canada, she never dreamed she would stay for two years. At the time she believed that since the ousting of the repressive Taliban in 2001, Afghan women and girls were living under considarably less oppressive conditions. She soon discovered that life for Afghan women was not as she expected, and felt compelled to stay and document their story. With the help of a young female Aghan as her friend and translator, Slezic photographed women all over the country. Over endless cups of tea in sitting rooms in cities and villages, she learned that Afghan women are still living in a harrowingly oppressive society where forced marriage, domestic violence, honour killings, and an unpalatable lack of freedom still exist.

Even today many are not allowed to leave their homes or go to school, and the burka remains a common sight on the dusty streets of the war-torn country. This body of work represents a very emotional journey that has allowed Slezic to learn about the lives of Afghan women and girls in an intimate setting. Unfortunately, most of them understand subservience and fear all too well. Forsaken offers a moving, confrontational and intimate picture of the life of Afghan women who have dared to show their vulnerability in this book. Their fighting spirit and small steps towards equality give them and the viewer hope for better times.The book has garnered honors as one of the best photo books of that year, including PDNs Annual Best Photo Books.