Women by Women | Etinosa Yvonne

For the Nigerian photojournalist Etinosa Yvonne, empathy is key. She brings this quality to bear when documenting the lives of Nigerian women. The self-taught photographer has captured the impact of Covid-19 upon survivors of gender-based violence.

She has also covered the huge #EndSars protests that erupted in Nigeria in 2020 in reaction to police brutality.

When photographing women, she often asks herself: 'Would I like to be shown like this?'

Her work has been published in several international publications. Etinosa has also won an award from the Royal Photographic Society and is one of six talents selected for the 2020 cycle of the World Press 6x6 Africa Talent Programme.

When a woman has empathy and connects with another woman there is this connection," she says. "And you want to give it your best shot."

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_{Grace, 42, is a cleaner and an inspiration to women in her community. That is because she successfully mounted a legal bid to hold on to her property after her husband died.

Now, women in her community turn to her for support whenever they are facing problems ranging from domestic violence to property disputes.

"Women often come to me for help because they’ve heard about my case and the success story I’ve got," she says.}

_{When Grace’s husband died in 2009, her brothers-in-law began harassing her to give up the family home and assets.

Grace says it is common for in-laws to claim the property if a man dies without a son. Her two daughters were overlooked, just because they are girls: "Unfortunately, daughters are never regarded or valued."

After years of harassment, Grace’s case was resolved in 2016 when she got support from Women Aid Collective (WACOL), one of ActionAid Nigeria’s local partners.}

_{WACOL’s lawyers visited the disputed land and drew up an agreement to divide the assets. Grace says her in-laws have not troubled her since.

"At age 42, I am hopeful for the future," she says.

"A future without intimidation."
"I am happy that other women are now beginning to challenge harmful cultural practices, because they have seen how my story turned out. They often say: 'If Grace can do it, I can also do it.'"}

women by women grace by etinosa photography

_{Bose Ironsi is the founder and executive director of the Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), a grassroots organisation that provides counselling and legal information for survivors of gender-based violence across Lagos, Nigeria.

The project started in 2008 with just two staff members – it has since expanded across the city, and its counselling and support service has worked with over 500 survivors.

"Day-to-day life as an activist working to end gender-based violence is very challenging," Bose says. "There are happy times and 'cry times'."

"What makes me cry is the lengths it takes to get justice for survivors. At what point can we have a system that works for survivors?"

"Covid-19 has exposed the silent pandemic of gender-based violence as we recorded higher cases during the lockdown."}