Photo series honoring Nigerian kidnap victims wins $11,500 German Peace Prize

Girl holding pens in front of her face
(Image credit: Emeke Obanor)

You’ve heard of the Nobel Peace Prize, but did you know there’s a German Peace Prize for Photography? This biannual award honors image-makers who promote peace in a variety of ways, and it has just announced the 2021 winner as Nigerian photographer Emeke Obanor.

Obanor will receive a €10,000 (approximately $11,550 / £8,500 / AU$15,800) prize for his series Heroes. These images focus on some of the girls and women who survived being kidnapped by the terrorist group, Boko Haram. In the photos, objects such as pens and books cover their faces, both protecting their anonymity and acting as a metaphors for the positive power of education.

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Tom May

Tom May is a freelance writer and editor specializing in art, photography, design and travel. He has been editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. He has also worked for a wide range of mainstream titles including The Sun, Radio Times, NME, T3, Heat, Company and Bella.