Main partners:
Making women's rights visible with art
The 'I was born a girl'- project was created by Minna Pietarinen and Peppi Stünkel, to raise awareness about women’s rights and gender equality globally. The exhibition presents Pietarinen's peer-supporting art and poetry, introducing inspiring, glass-ceiling-shattering and world-changing women which they have chosen from diverse cultures, representing different human rights. Each painting is accompanied by an emotive poem about this specific right. The exhibition is designed to evoke conversation and spark action regarding important issues related to gender equality and human rights. The art and poetry also serves as emotional support for women who have been discriminated against or whose rights have been violated.
"I was born a girl" first opened for Women’s Day 2023 in Mexico City and reached 26,000 visitors. It then made its European debut at the Nordic Business Forum 2023 in Helsinki in September 2023 after which it opened for the general public in AINOA. In March this year, the exhibition travelled to South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia for International Women's Day 2024. The exhibition was present at the United Nations in Geneva for the 57th Human Rights Council in September 2024. Most recently the exhibition opened in Windhoek, Namibia on as a part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign against Gender-Based Violence. You may read the most recent English edition of our book here, featuring a foreword by our Patron, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, the Spouse of the President of the Republic of Finland.
In 2025 the exhibition is due to be presented in Colombia, Chile, Peru, Argentina and China, for more information, please contact us directly or follow us on social media.
Opening event at DIRCO South Africa on the 4th of March 2024
The Art & Poetry
The leading piece of the exhibition is a 2 x 3 meter piece of Malala, which represents girls and women’s right to education. In addition to the Malala work, the exhibition includes 8 more pieces (100 x 150 cm) that have been painted exclusively for this exhibition.
The right to peace and security is represented by art featuring the first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska and the art featuring Mahsa Amini highlights the position of women in Iran and their right to freedom. Minna Pietarinen has also painted art featuring UN Women Ambassador Jaha Dukureh to represent her advocacy to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. Finnish president Tarja Halonen represents the right to political participation and decision making and Rigoberta Menchú Tum the rights of indigenous women.
If you are interested in purchasing any of the art, please contact info@iwasbornagirl.fi
The Virtual Gallery
The overarching objective of the entire exhibition is to empower women globally and raise awareness about women's rights across all age groups and genders. The Virtual Art Exhibition is intentionally designed to be inclusive and accessible to everyone, everywhere, at no cost. Anyone can share the exhibition, and its reach has extended worldwide, actively amplified by our partners, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and UN Women Suomi.
This initiative aligns with the UN Generation Equality theme "Technology and innovations for equality," wherein Finland holds a leading role. By leveraging technology, the virtual exhibition serves as a powerful tool to engage millennials and Generation Z, reaching them in a manner that resonates with their natural inclinations.
The exhibition, by virtue of its accessibility and digital nature, becomes a catalyst for raising awareness, understanding, and support for gender equality on a global scale. The entire project operates on the belief that achieving gender equality will benefit the entire world, and it underscores that the responsibility for realizing Sustainable Development Goal #5 for Gender Equality belongs to each one of us. Through this initiative, "I was born a girl" strives to contribute to a more equitable and just global society.
We are proud to use the Virtual Art Gallery, whose mission is to create a democratic, equal, and sustainable global art market. Their vision is to offer every artist an equal opportunity and to give more art for everyone to experience.
The Book
The I was born a girl- book has been made from the art and poems of the art exhibition, which will serve as peer support for women, to raise awareness and to promote women’s rights around the world. The first edition was tri-lingual (Eng, Fi & Spa) and later editions have been made in Finnish and English separately.
The purpose of the book is to raise awareness, call to action and support women around the world, but also as a tool for organizations that work for women’s rights every day.
The accompanying texts telling the stories of the women in the paintings and the rights that are depicted were written by Emma Winiecki, Head of Communications for UN Women Finland. UN Women Finland is the Finnish National Committee of UN Women.
UN Women is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide.
