Tofaha Awad

Those photographs up on the walls of the exhibition were not just beautiful harmonious shapes and colors, but rather a mirror that reflected the feelings of the people lost amid their shackled feelings, unable to express their rights out loud.

My name is Tofaha Awad, and I am a photographer attentive in social issues.

I started photography as a hobby at the age of fifteen, a vent for a young girl trying to discover herself and the world around her, unaware of the goals or grounds of the choice. After over a year, one of my friends inspired me to publish my photos on social media, and that was the first turning point in my life.

In 2017, I started studying media and television and built a new dream that would lead me to the lights of fame and camera screens, but I soon discovered that world of fame was not for me since it didn’t express my true identity. My safe haven was photography every time.

In it I found means of translating feelings and stories that can't be told verbally, my focus was distinct and untypical topics, such as the restrictions that women face in Libyan society, the cultural barriers and behavioral outlines imposed on them for example, early marriage, taking jobs suitable for women and the obligation to adhere to a vivid plan like the rest of their peers.

From here the idea of the “Ibnya” exhibition held last year in Tunisia, took birth. It reflected every girl’s inner feelings, unable to express herself and break the barrier of fear and shame the society placed before her.

After the success of the exhibition, my confidence rose and I felt responsible to share my experience with girls looking for a motive to aspire them in expressing their ideas. Hence, I decided to offer training courses in photography in the near future.

Some feelings and stories can only be told through pictures, and that's the role of photography to directly convey and present these feelings to people in hope to contribute in educating them and to motivate them to express themselves.