I was born a girl

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 has already been presented in Colombia and Chile and Argentina and is due to be presented in Mexico, Uruguay, Peru and China, for more information, please contact us directly  (info@iwasbornagirl.fi) or follow us on social media. 

 

Our Patron

Suzanne Innes-Stubb

Spouse of the President of the Republic of Finland

We are deeply grateful to Suzanne Innes-Stubb, Spouse of the President of the Republic of Finland, for serving as the official patron of the I Was Born a Girl project. Her unwavering support and belief in our mission have brought visibility and strength to our work. We are especially honored that she contributed the foreword to our exhibition book — a powerful and heartfelt message that sets the tone for the stories and art within.