1/n Today is World Photography Day,
and I want to raise some concerns.

2/n For a long time, I believed I wasn’t cut out for photojournalism. But when I took up some independent assignments earlier this year, I realised how much I still enjoyed it; how easily I let go of photography thinking aggression was the norm, sexism was the norm.

3/n For hours end, my friends and I have discussed the rampant sexism that makes photojournalism a rather intimidating environment for womxn. When the news of sexual harassment allegations against a national photo editor surfaced last year,

4/n I learnt from nearly every photojournalist I came across in Delhi that ‘he was like that only’. But I didn’t come across one conversation questioning the why, and how was this was allowed to go on for so long.

5/n In July this year, I was offered to collaborate on a social magazine for photographers. It would potentially showcase artists from underrepresented communities. I contemplated over a reasonable time, if I wanted to take up an editorial full-time job that didn’t pay.

6/n But it would provide me with a great learning curve; expose me to the communities and works that have historically remained at the margin of the country and its scheme of priorities. It was also an opportunity to give back to my community.

7/n Over a call in the subsequent week, I learnt that the magazine had brought someone who had allegations of sexual misconduct against him, on the advisory board for this. I flagged this on a mail, assuming that the founding editor didn’t know. I resigned on the same mail.

8/n The editor responded that they’re removing the person, and promptly removed his name from the under-construction website.
Only to bring him back, last evening, one day before the launch date. This only goes on to reinstate how little power the founder editor imagined I held.

9/n At a news agency, where I worked for two years, I came across a plethora of sexist comments; one was a ‘concern’ regarding my dusky complexion.
‘The largest news agency in India’ has zero womxn photographer on its payroll. There was no opening.

10/n But when one spot did open up earlier this year, they promptly hired another guy. While looking for my replacement at photo desk after I resigned in December, my colleagues expressed, without remorse, that they ought to hire a guy to fill my gender-neutral vacant shoe.

11/n One of my colleagues who suggested this, would often seek help from me to prepare a lecture on feminism, and deliver it at a prestigious university.
The point I am trying to make is that these incidents are so close home. So close to us. And it’s just the tip of an iceberg.

12/n Alternatively, for so long, I’ve seen people get away by playing with the loopholes, where charges are dropped, people are slapped with defamation, or allegations rubbished for being anonymous.

13/n But deep in our hearts we know that for nearly every allegation that surface, there are scores that don’t get reported. I refuse to believe that the perpetrator harassed the one person who would eventually gather the courage to speak up. It’s just statistically unlikely.

14/n I myself haven’t reported so many incidents, thinking that it was probably ‘in my head’ or considered that it was not worth the energy.
I didn’t report the remark about my complexion. Over the past years, I have developed deep understanding and importance of #metoo movement

15/n It takes immense courage for womxn to talk about their scarring experiences. Experiences that have made art space unsafe, for womxn of my generation and earlier. We often don’t receive a fair pay, or get exploited because there are such few opportunities for us.

16/n And these layered complexities further deter us from performing to our full potential or taking risks.
Before you come at me with power and politics and your insights on the #metoo movement. Please recognise that these are my lived experiences, and not a sweeping statement

17/n No movement is ever perfect, centuries old patriarchy won’t be shed with a hashtag. However, it’s the very movement that has allowed many, many young women, the likes of me, to be vocal about being treated unfairly at work, ask for implementation of POSH...

18/n and spark conversations around gender ratio among our other concerns. If I am feeling empowered to use my voice today, I recognise that I say this with an immense sense of security and privilege and because of the #MeToo movement. I stand on the shoulders of those giants.

19/n Lastly, I am not writing this with an end goal, or a ‘motive’ in mind (unless you’re offering some paradigm shift that’ll bring equality overnight,
I’ll take that then). I am only seeking acknowledgment of the ecosystem that we knowingly or unknowingly represent and support

20/n Today I cannot stop thinking of all the womxn from various fields, and how much courage it must require of them to speak about the perpetrators. Of those who can’t articulate how they feel at workspaces, lending a voice of affirmation that this personal is deeply political.