On show at the Fernando Leite Couto Foundation Gallery until 7 April, the exhibition "I Was Born a Girl" by Finnish artist Minna Pietarinen highlights women who have broken barriers, transformed the world and issued a warning: the world is crying out for change and human rights are women's rights.
Brought to Maputo by the Finnish Embassy, the exhibition recognises and pays tribute to women whose achievements have had an impact on society. From Mozambique, the work that highlights two young women who have broken barriers and brought the country's name to international prestige: Alcinda Panguana and Rady Gramane, African boxing champions.
"From humble beginnings they have become world champions, their rise reflects a remarkable transformation in Mozambique's sporting scene and great strides towards gender inclusion in sport," says the text integrated into the exhibition by the United Nations Women's organisation, UN Women Finland.
"Women and girls belong in sport just like anyone else, and any barriers that may exist were created by man - and can, and must, be broken down, just as Alcinda and Rady have shown through their own inspiring actions and journeys," says UN Women, highlighting the achievement of the two gold medal winners at the 2022 African Boxing Championships.
In an unprecedented initiative by Finnish artist Minna Pietarinem that aims to highlight exactly what the world doesn't want to see - the potential of women and the impact they have on societies - a total of seven female faces are highlighted.
As we enter the Fernando Leite Couto Foundation Library, we are called to look at a canvas whose face, although from the East, is familiar: it is Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist who stands out for her fight for girls' rights, bathed in a green colour that gives depth to the painting. Next to it, a text gives wings to the contemporary realism painting, setting out the intentions for the imposing figure to be in that place.
"Malala says that she does not share her own story because she is unique, but because she is not. Like Malala, tens of millions of girls and women have to fight every day for the right to education, just because they are women. All over the world, women are excluded from education because they are still seen as inferior to men in society. For girls and women, education is often the key to opportunities, and to making their own choices. When girls and women are excluded from schools, they are not just being deprived of a fundamental human right, but of several rights. When girls and women are not in school, the risk of many other human rights violations also increases significantly."
The Pakistani activist was the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize - Nobel Peace Prize 2014.
The other woman featured in the exhibition has achieved the feat of being the first woman to hold the positions of President of the Republic of Finland (2000-2012), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Justice and the first female lawyer at the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions. Her name is Tarja Halonen.
"Halonen's presidency was a significant step in the development of gender equality in Finland because, as the first female president, she provided Finnish girls with a new example of opportunities for women. With her own example, Halonen wishes to strengthen the belief, especially in the younger generation, that it is possible to bring about change."
A personal experience
Minna Pietarinen is the third eldest in a Lutheran family (Laestadian Lutheranism) of 17 children. As a woman, her life model has been deeply influenced by motherhood, as dictated by the guidelines of her religion. The direction of her life was guided by the fear of securing a place in heaven, moulded by a sensitive conscience. At the age of 18 she got married and by the age of 27 she had already been pregnant 9 times, of which only 5 children survived. In 2012, she abandoned her Lutheran faith and her marriage.
"I found myself very alone, with enormous fear as my friend. I sought solace in art therapy and, through profound realisations, embarked on the path of studying myself. I painted and wrote extensively, delving deep inside myself. As my own courage grew, I began to realise the comfort and support people got from my openness. I realised what I needed during my own difficult life situations: someone to articulate those words that I didn't know, to wake me up, to break my ball of fear, to comfort and support me; to talk to me about human rights," said the artist in an emotional message during the opening of the exhibition in Maputo.
Art, being painting and poetry, has given her the opportunity to fly around the world. And now, with the "I Was Born a Girl" project, she is trying to reach more women, awakening their inner voice and telling them that they can, that they have the same rights as men to decide what they want for themselves and for society.
The "I Was Born a Girl" project, explains the artist, "was born with the hope that at least one girl or woman could find support, hope and empowerment. This is because the realisation of human rights empowers and frees an individual to be their true self, in turn granting that same freedom to others."
In Minna Pietarinen's view, the combination of art as a universal language with human rights, which are equally for everyone, makes this exhibition, which is travelling to various countries around the world, a motto for change or consolation.
"Even in situations where a girl or woman may not have the ability to change external circumstances, through art and poetry she can find words for her complex emotions, create strength in herself and nurture hope and belief in a better tomorrow. Empowering herself in the present moment. This empowerment is the first and most important step for all girls and women in the world, and it starts by giving the words of human rights to ourselves," she says.
The world is yearning for change. Women's rights are human rights, that's Minna Pietarinen's message.
