by photographer Stephaine Sinclair
FiftyCrows International Fund for Documentary Photography
2004 Central Asia and the Caucasus competition
Category 2: Outside the Region Winner

Image of ©2004 Stephanie Sinclair

Photographer's Statement
The end of the Taliban regime in 2001 ushered in bright ambitions for social change in Afghanistan.  Improving conditions for women, however, is proving to be a slow-fought battle and a complex arena in which to negotiate reform.  One manifestation of enduring despair amongst women is the practice of self-immolation, a horrific gesture of personal guilt and unspeakable social shame translated into an emblematic wish for death.  Incidents of Afghan women setting themselves on fire are increasing with startling frequency, begging critical investigation into the many tangled roots of this phenomenon.  In her essay "Self Immolation: Afghan Women Cry Out for Help", Sinclair provides an uncompromising look inside the burn ward at Herat Public Hospital, rehabilitation and educational facilities for recovering women, and probes the social psychology behind this form of suicide.  Ever-present is her critical eye towards cultural institutions of domestic violence and sexual abuse against women.  Sinclair hopes to rouse proactive public concern about self-immolation, both within Afghanistan and globally.         

Photographer’s website
http://www.stephaniesinclair.com