PhotoFeed Contest - Portrait Photography Round 128 ~ The Rohingya Female Gaze

Hello...

In the PhotoFeed Portrait Photography Contest Round 128 hosted by @photofeed, I attempted to share a photo of a Rohingya woman's gaze. This photo was taken several years ago when Rohingya refugees were stranded in Laweung, Pidie Regency, Aceh. In this touching portrait, a Rohingya woman stands with a face full of sorrow and exhaustion. Her eyes convey a deep bitterness as if carrying the burden of a long journey full of risks and suffering. She wears a black and white patterned headscarf and a striking red dress, but nothing can disguise the expression of inner pain that radiates from her face. Behind her silence and sharp gaze, there is the determination of a woman who has weathered the storms of life to save herself and her family.

This woman is one of hundreds of Rohingya refugees who recently landed on the coast of Laweung, Pidie, Aceh. They made a perilous journey across the ocean in a fragile wooden boat seeking safety from oppression and violence in their homeland, Rakhine, Myanmar. Landing in Aceh brought new hope, but also revealed the harsh reality of a flight that is never easy. The look on her face reflects the uncertainty and trauma that still lingers.

In the background, several men stand with solemn expressions, conveying a shared fate and collective concern. This Rohingya community has lost more than just their home, a secure future. Yet, in solidarity and togetherness, they are trying to rekindle their shattered hopes. This woman, with all her silence and the wounds she carries, is a symbol of the extraordinary resilience often hidden behind the news of migration and conflict we hear.

This portrait not only presents a moment of pain but also serves as a reminder to the world of the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Aceh, with its history of solidarity, has once again become a haven and a place of hope for those displaced. Through the face of this Rohingya woman, we are encouraged to not turn a blind eye to the suffering of others and to be more sensitive in responding to humanitarian tragedies with empathy and real action.

That's all I can share for now. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you very much to those who have read this post. Thank you.