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| File photo of Masrat Zahra |
The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) has honoured Kashmir-based freelance journalist Masrat Zahra (26) with the prestigious Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award this year.
A journalism graduate from the Central University of Kashmir, Zahra’s work has been showcased on media platforms like Washington Post, Al Jazeera, and The Caravan magazine among others.
The award, named after the Pulitzer Prize-winning AP photographer who was killed in 2014 in Afghanistan, includes $20,000. It recognizes “women photographers who put themselves at risk to report the news through images.” Niedringhaus herself had received the IWMF Courage in Journalism Award in 2005.
According to reports, Zahra, born and raised in Srinagar, has been documenting the conflict in India-owned Kashmir for four years. “Her images illustrate the violent confrontations between Kashmiri protesters and Indian security forces and their subsequent toll on the community,” says a report by AP.
The IWMF has stated that Zahra “endures frequent harassment and consistent labelling as a threat to the Indian government.” In fact, Zahra was reportedly booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) a few months ago, for allegedly uploading posts that glorify “anti-national activities” on social media.
On her Twitter handle, Zahra has stated her gratitude to renowned photographer and journalist Showkat Nanda who mentored her.
I am incredibly honored to share that I have won the Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award from @IWMF I'm happy that my work has finally been recognized.
After thanking Almighty,I would like to say a big thank to my mentor, @ShowkatNanda for his guidance, love & care
I also thank my family, my friends, colleagues and everyone who supported me when I was going through difficult times. I dedicate this award to the unshakable courage of my fellow journalists of Kashmir, especially women reporters and photographers.
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“I hope this honour will encourage me to perfect my skills and do my work more confidently. I also expect it to inspire other women photographers who are working in difficult environments.
This is an honour to all women who choose to work in conflict zones,” Zahra has stated, according to the IWMF.
Meet the #BadassFemaleJournos of our 2020 #AnjasCourage Awards: winner @masratzahra and honorable mentions @laurelchor & @nmontcourt! These photojournalists are showing us what resistance looks like worldwide – so see the world through her lens: bit.ly/Anja2020
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Hong-Kong based photographer Laurel Chor and Puerto Rico-based Nahir Montcourt have also received honourable mentions by the IWMF.
The former has been noted for her work covering the protestors fighting for democracy in Hong Kong, while the latter’s work focuses on the civil and political unrest in Puerto Rico.
