About the Center

About the Center

The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization of attorneys and advocates working to ensure reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights for the dignity, equality, health, and well-being of every person.

Since 1997, the Center’s Africa Program has advanced reproductive rights across several countries by litigating court cases, advocating for legal reform, and setting new human rights standards in the region. With a regional office in Nairobi since 2011, the program has worked with courts, human rights bodies, and the African Union to secure landmark legal victories that expand women’s and girls’ reproductive rights—including access to contraceptives, safe abortion services, and maternal health care.

International Safe Abortion Day (ISAD) is an annual event on September 28th dedicated to promoting universal access to safe and legal abortion care as a human right and a critical component of sexual and reproductive health.

This year, to commemorate ISAD, under the theme “Safe Abortion is Life-saving Healthcare!”, the Center is launching a Photography and Art Challenge. Through visual storytelling, we aim to spark dialogue, shift harmful narratives, and influence policy and public perception around abortion care and reproductive health across Africa.

Photography & Art Challenge

Photography & Art Challenge

Objectives of the Challenge

The challenge seeks to collect powerful artistic and photographic works that portray the realities and experiences of women and girls in Africa in relation to abortion care and contraception. Artists and photographers are encouraged to creatively interpret and depict the consequences of unsafe abortion and its impact on women’s health and lives, while also illustrating how access to safe abortion care, contraception, and comprehensive sexuality education can foster healthier, freer, and more empowered communities. These works should capture both the challenges and the possibilities, shedding light on the barriers that persist, while envisioning the transformative potential of affordable, accessible, acceptable, and quality reproductive health services.

The selected pieces will not only enrich visual storytelling but also serve as compelling advocacy tools to spark dialogue, shift narratives, and influence policy and public perception across Africa. The artworks will be exhibited at an event in Zambia to commemorate International Safe Abortion Day on September 28, 2025. The top 5 artists will be recognized with awards and have their art showcased, demonstrating their creativity and commitment to advancing reproductive health and rights.

Artists and photographers are invited to:

• Creatively interpret and depict the realities of access to abortion for women in Africa.
• Illustrate how access to safe abortion, contraception, and comprehensive sexuality education can foster healthier, freer, and more empowered communities.
• Capture both the barriers and challenges that persist, while also envisioning the transformative potential of accessible reproductive health services.

The selected works will not only enrich our visual storytelling but also serve as powerful advocacy tools to drive conversations and challenge stigma surrounding abortion and reproductive health rights.

Awards and Recognition

Awards and Recognition

• The top 5 artists/photographers will each be recognized with an award.
• Artists of the selected pieces will each be awarded 100 USD.
• Winning pieces will be exhibited at a high-level event in Zambia to commemorate International Safe Abortion Day 2025.
• Selected works will be featured in advocacy campaigns and communication platforms, giving artists the opportunity to showcase their creativity and commitment to advancing reproductive health and rights across Africa.

Expected Outcomes

Expected Outcomes

• A vibrant and diverse collection of art and photography communicating key reproductive health issues.
• Powerful visual stories that spark dialogue, shift narratives, and influence policy and public perception on abortion across Africa.
• Leveraging creativity and artistic expression to strengthen advocacy on reproductive health and rights.

Who Can Apply

Who Can Apply

• Open to artists and photographers based in Africa, regardless of age or professional background.
• Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

How to Apply

• Submit up to 3 original works (art pieces or photographs) that align with the theme “Safe Abortion is Life-saving Healthcare!
• Each submission should include:
  • A title and short description of the piece (maximum 150 words).
  • The artist’s name, country, and contact information.
• Ensure you watermark your art pieces and photographs.
• Submissions should be sent to: [email protected] by 23^rd September 2025.

Important Dates

Important Dates

• Notification of selected artists: September 24, 2025
• Art Exhibition: September 29, 2025, Zambia

Join the Movement!

Join the Movement!

Through your art, you have the power to challenge stigma, spark conversations, and envision a future where women and girls across Africa can live with dignity, freedom, and full access to their reproductive rights.