A Centuries Old Maasai Custom
This series documents an unlawful Maasai Female Genital Mutilation ceremony in Makuta, Kenya, on November 14, 2016. “FGM” is a rite of passage thought to elevate a girl from childhood to the status of adulthood. The belief is it has the ability to reduce a woman's desire for sex, making her less likely to engage in pre-marital sex or adultery. The procedure, clitoridectomy, ranges from snipping off a piece of the clitoris to the removal of all external genitalia. In a dimly light mud hut, an elderly woman performs the procedure with an instrument, known as an "ormurunya".
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Biography
Matilde Simas is an advocate and documentary photographer whose work confronts human rights violations, with a focus on gender-based violence, human trafficking, and marginalized communities. Through powerful imagery and ethical storytelling, she amplifies the voices of survivors and brings global attention to often overlooked issues. Her work has helped influence awareness campaigns, inform policy discussions, and support grassroots organizations across Africa, Asia, and the U.S.
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Awards
Matilde Simas’s powerful images have earned international recognition, including a Gold Award from the PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, honors from the International Photography Awards, and features by the United Nations. She was a keynote speaker at a UNICEF event on child protection and continues to present her work at global photography and human rights forums. Notably, she screened her film on forced marriage at Photo Israel, one of the world’s leading international photography festivals.
Her work has been exhibited globally, including at the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia in Rome, the Kenyan National Archives, and during Paris Photo Week.
She is currently touring her documentary film Woman Rising across state houses in the U.S. to ignite critical dialogue and advocate for stronger legislation protecting survivors of human trafficking. The tour began at the Maine State House, where the film contributed to conversations that supported the passage of legislation establishing protocols for law enforcement to better assist survivors. It has since expanded to the Massachusetts State House. Woman Rising has also been screened for the District Attorney’s Office, social service providers, and at film festivals including the Rhode Island International Film Festival, further amplifying its impact as a tool for awareness and systemic reform.
