IN WAVES

Crises have shaped world history at all times. Nevertheless, the frequency and simultaneity of crises seem to have reached a new level in the 21st century. They leave visible traces on society and intervene deeply in private life. The constant ups and downs hardly leave any time for a quick sigh of relief and a reorganization.

Women are disproportionately affected by crises: when educational and care facilities are closed, they are the ones who primarily take on the care of children and relatives. Due to the overwhelming proportion of women in supermarket checkouts and in social and care professions, they are at higher risk of contracting diseases. Violence against women also increases significantly during crises.

At the same time, the current crises offer opportunities for changes and new beginnings. And so, it seems crucial right now to question and renegotiate the understanding of family and work, role models, conventions and social structures.

In the exhibition In Waves, 24 Berlin photographers from the #WomenInCovid project present personal, diverse and unique insights into the reality of women’s lives during crises, using the Covid-19 pandemic as an example.