Housing Executive helps young women to portray life through the lens

On Friday, the ‘Life Through the Lens’ photography exhibition was launched in the Long Gallery in Parliament Buildings, thanks to the efforts of the Falls  Women’s Centre and women from across Greater Belfast, supported by the Housing Executive through our Cohesion work.

Delivered by Giga Training, some twenty LGBTQ+ and heterosexual women aged between 16-18 years undertook an OCN level two qualification in photography.

The project, which began last year, aimed to foster stable and cohesive neighbourhoods by bringing people from different socio-economic backgrounds together.  Through images, it sought to raise awareness around the issues of gender equality and marriage equality as well as dispelling perceptions and demonstrating the difficulties that exist for the LGBTQ+ community.

The exhibition is on display in the Long Gallery and showcases the expertise achieved by the young women, with many of them inspired to continue improving their photography skills.

Aine Fryers, Young Women’s Project Co-Ordinator at Falls Women’s Centre, was pleased that the event went so well for the young people.  She said:

“We really appreciate the Housing Executive funding this initiative for us.  

“Everyone involved has learned so much and we’ve made great new friendships that will certainly create opportunities for future learning.”

Darren Jones, Housing Executive Team Leader form our West Belfast office was also at the launch.  He said:

“Falls Women’s Centre do great work in the Greater Belfast area, and regularly link up with other women’s centres across Belfast.  Well done to them for supporting this piece of work.”

The photography exhibition is on display in the Long Gallery at Stormont until Friday, 12 April 2019.