Eight women from Madagascar bravely posed for a photo project to raise awareness of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), a disease affecting millions of women and girls in Africa. FGS is a waterborne infection spread by parasitic worms, prevalent in areas with limited access to clean water and health care. The disease can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and genital ulcers, with symptoms often mistaken for STDs, causing shame and dishonor. Women like Sylvia Razanaparana, who contracted FGS while working in rice fields, face stigma and health risks.

Photographer Miora Rajaonary captured these women's stories in her exhibit Sahy Rano, currently on display at the Photoville Festival in New York. The project, supported by the End Fund, highlights the courage of these women who continue to work in contaminated waters despite the risks. The women, adorned in traditional Malagasy face masks, challenge taboos by openly discussing the disease and showing their resilience.

Rajaonary's artistic backdrop features symbols of parasites in the water, emphasizing the women's daily struggle. Laundry ropes with clothing hanging on them symbolize the women's lives and the inescapable presence of water. The vibrant pails and buckets in the photos further underscore the women's connection to water and the challenges they face.

These women's bravery in sharing their stories sheds light on the impact of neglected tropical diseases on women's health and well-being. By breaking the silence and stigma surrounding FGS, they empower others to seek treatment and support, ultimately working towards eradicating these diseases.