Chris de Bode wins Lens Culture portrait award

Chris de Bode has won the 2nd place prize in the Portrait Single Award category at the lens culture Portrait Awards 16 with his image of Anoel, a young South Sudanese girl living in an IDP camp nr Bor in South Sudan.

The instability that has been created by conflict in the newly independent South Sudan has impacted particularly on young women, especially those living in camps for IDPs. They risk and fear sexual violence while going about their daily lives, doing such things as collecting wood in the forest. Photographer Chris de Bode photographed and spoke to some of these girls at Minkaman refugee camp. They stand against a blanket that is held by people who play a significant role in their daily lives. The blanket symbolises the protection that these girls need. Outside this protected area is unsafe because of the fear of sexual violence and especially the fear of a future without security and peace. However, they are not alone as there are safe shelters where they can go to share their stories and get support and community workers to identify vulnerable families and offer help. Anoel, aged about seven:
'I don't know my age. I think I am seven years old, but it's not important. I don't feel safe, especially when I think of all the violence I saw. I am also afraid that people will think less of me because I am wearing a shirt that doesn't really cover my body. They will think I am poor.' The instability that has been created by conflict in the newly independent South Sudan has impacted particularly on young women, especially those living in camps for IDPs. Anoel, aged about seven:
’I don’t know my age. I think I am seven years old, but it’s not important. I don’t feel safe, especially when I think of all the violence I saw. I am also afraid that people will think less of me because I am wearing a shirt that doesn’t really cover my body. They will think I am poor.’

Click here to see more images from the series.

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