Two-day photo exhibition begins today showcasing stories from CHT communities
A two-day photo exhibition highlighting the lives, livelihoods and resilience of indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) was inaugurated at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy today.
Titled "Rising Hills, Beyond the Frame: A Photo Voice", the exhibition has been organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and features visual stories from the Partnership for Resilient Livelihoods in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (PRLC) project.
The exhibition captures the everyday lives, work, challenges and aspirations of people living in the hill districts through photography and community storytelling.
Shaheen Anam, executive director of MJF, inaugurated the exhibition. "Indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts continue to face complex challenges despite progress since the CHT Peace Accord," she told The Daily Star.
"Many communities still struggle with poor roads, water shortages and limited healthcare access. Greater attention and equal access to services are essential to ensure inclusive development in the hill tracts," she added.
The event was attended by Stephen Rodriques, resident representative of UNDP in Bangladesh; Dr Mohammad Zakaria, director general of the NGO Affairs Bureau; Michael Miller, ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh; Geetanjali Singh, country representative of UN Women; and Katharina König, deputy team leader of the Nagorikata Civic Engagement Fund.
"The photographs tell the stories of individuals, their lives, aspirations, challenges and the empowerment they have gained to change their own futures," said Michael Miller.
He said addressing the CHT's unique challenges requires approaches that recognise local realities, build on community knowledge and ensure local ownership.
Katharina König said the photographs were important in amplifying the voices of communities that are often underrepresented. "Visual storytelling and culture can be powerful tools for civic engagement, helping people express their experiences, strengthen participation and bring greater attention to the realities faced by marginalised communities," she said.
According to the organisers, the exhibition seeks to draw wider public attention to the voices and lived experiences of communities in the CHT while highlighting stories of resilience, livelihood development and social change emerging from the region.
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