The Feminist Queries: Tamara Abdul Hadi

by Leah Wawro

categories: Global Feminism, The Feminist Queries

Published September 22, 2009 @ 03:50PM PT

This week's Feminist Query interview is with Tamara Abdul Hadi, who is an Iraqi Canadian photojournalist. She's been based in the Middle East since 2004, where she worked for Reuters and completed assignments for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more. After living in Dubai for 3 years, Tamara moved to Lebanon, where she is currently working on personal projects and giving photography workshops to disadvantaged groups of people.

You can view more of Tamara's photos below the interview.

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

Sometimes. Being a woman, it is in my nature to stand up for our gender. It's a given. When I'm in Saudi Arabia, where I've been on numerous occasions on assignment, I find myself feeling the need to 'stand up' for my rights as a woman. I believe that being in a place like Saudi Arabia where women's rights are little to none brings that out in me. Any form of injustice, be it towards women or not, is something that needs to be seen or heard. As a photographer, I have the power to expose such injustices, so I use that when I can.

What has your experience been working as a female photographer in the Middle East? How differently are you treated from male photographers? And do you think women view you differently?

My experience as a female photographer in the Middle East has been pretty smooth. Of course there are challenges, but I think the advantages outweigh the challenges. Being a woman allows me to be in situations that men would not be able to be in. I sometimes feel I am treated differently from male photographers, but I think the work stands for itself, and when you prove you are able, people respect you for that. I know many female photographers that work in the Arab World and they never cease to inspire me with their drive and ability.

Do you find it different photographing women in the Arab world, in comparison to those in the US/Europe?

It is a known fact that photographing women in the Arab world is a tricky thing, especially in the Gulf countries. A lot of societal pressures tend to weigh onto the decisions of young women but not as much as before. You do see reform opening up positions of power for ladies, but not on the level of males. On the other hand, I respect personal choice so I won't force-shoot you.  You always have to be careful where you point the camera, as there are many women that don’t want to be photographed. On the other hand, there are many women who are quite comfortable in front of the camera. It's really about who you're shooting and where. Anything is possible. So it really depends on the person.

What are your favorite subjects to take photos of, and why?

I choose to focus on Social Change photography, to shed light and show people what is happening in the world; be it right or wrong. I feel like living in the Middle East, it is upon us to use our tools to break the stereotypes placed on us and show the public our truth. I also think its very important to give empowerment through photography and art to people that wouldn't necessarily have the means to in the form of workshops.

And If you could ask feminists everywhere one thing, what would it be?

I would ask of feminists in the West not to push the notion of "liberation" upon the Eastern woman because liberation is a subjective concept. What is empowering for one woman is not easily culturally translatable. Eastern women are on their own path of emancipation, and in due time are carving out their own system of rights. Arab women are strong women and have been through a lot in terms of wars and injustices, both homemade and imported.