Collective Lens: Photography for Social Change

An indigenous women's group (Rungus tribe) formed in the Pitas district, Sabah, Malaysia on the island of Borneo are involved in a collaborative project, which they named, Project Women Empowerment Trees (PWET). The group, now about 100 women, is working to build and ensure economic and environmental justice for themselves and the surrounding community of women. In the first year, they have increased civic participation for women and through their partnership with LEAP (Land Empowerment Animals People) are fostering social change philanthropy as the stories of their courage and strength in the face of adversity are conveyed to women funders and partners. The empowerment of these women has resulted in more respect from the men in the villages and thus is part of an effort to build peace and end gender-based violence as well as giving better access to education and healthcare.