A three-day photo exhibition (starting from December 8, 2016) titled "The Unheard Voices" was held at Gallery Chitrak in Dhaka. The exhibition was jointly hosted by Plan International Bangladesh and University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), marking the end of the 16-day campaign against violence affecting women and young girls. The campaign was launched on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and it continued till December 10 (Human Rights Day).

The photo exhibition showcased photo stories depicting violence against women and girls, highlighting their struggles and encouraging viewers to take a stand against gender-based violence. 

Maherin Ahmed, Head of Communication and Advocacy, Plan International Bangladesh; Jude William R. Jenilo, Dean of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ), ULAB; Md. Moniruzzaman, Director, Fine Arts, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy were present at the inauguration ceremony. The speakers addressed the pressing issue of violence against women and girls, highlighting the fact that this violence appears in different forms throughout their lives.

Maherin Ahmed said, "This photography exhibition has been a wonderful opportunity to partner up with ULAB. The photos being exhibited here today do justice in sending messages that violence can take many forms and is not just limited to physical violence."

Jude William R. Jenilo said, "ULAB believes in sustainable development. When Plan International Bangladesh approached us with this proposal to organise an event, we were happy to be a part of this as the idea matched our values. I would also like to thank the organisation for providing our students the opportunity to participate in this photography exhibition."

The event ended with a performance from the band Miththuk. I walked through the gallery, glancing at frames of breathtaking photos hanging in a neat line on the white walls. Some were in colour while others were black and white, and each was a part of a photo story. Each photo story consisted of 5-7 framed photographs, narrating the accounts of a girl or a woman, and the violence she had faced.

Photographs showed victims of sexual assault being silenced, and instances of marital rape. One particular photo story provided an insight into the lives of the hijras, a marginalised community facing one of the highest forms of gender-based violence in Bangladesh. Others celebrated women and their hard work – an elderly woman running a make-shift pitha shop to provide for her disabled husband, the daily life of a girl working as domestic help, and more.

All the exhibited photos were the works of 16 student photographers from ULAB. During the event the photographers were awarded with crests, and five best photographers – Mahmudul Hasan Uday, Ekrim Hossin, Iffat Jahan, Santua Tripura and Md Mashruzzaman – were awarded with Lenovo tablet PCs. 

Visitors from all walks of life continued to turn out till 8 pm on December 10, getting a glimpse of the type of violence that is rampant in our country yet is almost always hushed up.