In a poignant act of defiance against the backdrop of rising femicides in Lima, Peruvian photographer Ana Elisa Sotelo orchestrated a stunning display of solidarity among women. In March 2023, she invited women to participate in a unique event—swimming together in the sea to honour victims of gender violence. This gathering culminated in a moving photograph entitled “Women’s Circle,” capturing the essence of sisterhood amidst turmoil.
A Call to Action Amidst Crisis
The impetus for this evocative project stemmed from a harrowing wave of femicides that gripped Peru in early 2023. The alarming increase in gender violence sparked outrage and despair within the community, prompting Sotelo to create a space for healing and unity. She reached out through social media, inviting women to join her in an unusual and liberating experience: swimming naked in the ocean.
“I wanted to create a moment where we could express our anger and solidarity in a visceral way,” Sotelo explained. The response was heartening, as women from diverse backgrounds rallied to participate, eager to show their support for those who had suffered in silence.
The Day of the Event
On the morning of the event, participants gathered at Playa Agua Dulce, one of Lima’s bustling beaches, before the sun began to rise. They were greeted by a palpable sense of excitement and purpose. To ensure the participants felt safe and supported, Sotelo enlisted three women on paddleboards to assist during the swim.
Participants were instructed to swim out into the ocean and shed their swimsuits in a collective act of vulnerability. “Once naked, the women formed a circle,” Sotelo recounted, noting that the atmosphere shifted into one of liberation as they kicked and screamed in the water, expressing their shared frustration and resilience. The moment was captured from the shore by Sotelo’s drone, immortalising their powerful act of solidarity.
Reflections on the Experience
After approximately twenty minutes of swimming freely, the women donned their swimsuits again and made their way back to shore. The beach erupted with laughter and camaraderie as they shared their triumph, despite the lingering shadow of the violence that had prompted their gathering. Sotelo reflected on this moment, “I like to think that all of us left feeling a little more hopeful,” she mused, even as the spectre of gender-based violence loomed large.
Three years since that day, the landscape appears increasingly bleak. Conversations surrounding gender violence seem to have waned, overshadowed by a growing sense of fear. Sotelo expressed her concerns: “If I were to call for this again today, would women still come? Or has fear grown louder than solidarity?”
Why it Matters
This event highlights not only the urgent need for continued dialogue about gender violence but also the transformative potential of collective action. In a world where the voices of women are often stifled, the Women’s Circle serves as a reminder of the power of unity and the importance of standing together in the face of adversity. It’s a testament to the resilience of women everywhere, and a clarion call for society to confront the harsh realities of gender-based violence with renewed fervour and commitment. The ripple effects of such movements can inspire further action, galvanising communities and fostering hope where it is desperately needed.
