We are not looking for photographs of conferences, courtrooms or official meetings.

 We are looking for people. Landscapes. Streets. Objects. And abstract images that tell a story. 

We are looking for photographs that reveal both the promise and the denial of human rights. We welcome images that document courage and resilience, but also those that expose injustice, inequality, exploitation, environmental harm and the lived consequences of human rights violations.

We recognise that many of the most powerful human rights photographs document difficult realities. We therefore encourage entries that honestly portray injustice, suffering and discrimination, provided they do so ethically and with respect for the dignity, privacy and safety of those depicted. We are looking for images that inform, challenge and inspire—not images that sensationalise pain or exploit vulnerability.

Show us:

• Communities whose lives have been transformed—positively or negatively—by decisions affecting their rights.
• Workers experiencing dignity, opportunity or exploitation in the workplace.
• Children whose rights are protected—or denied.
• Women and girls confronting discrimination, violence or inequality, as well as those leading change.
• Families living with the consequences of environmental degradation, climate change or pollution.
• Human rights defenders, journalists and activists protecting others, often at great personal risk.
• Communities rebuilding after injustice, conflict or displacement.
• Moments of grief, resilience, solidarity, resistance, healing and hope.
• Ordinary people whose everyday experiences reveal extraordinary human rights stories.
• Landscapes, streets and public spaces that reveal the human rights challenges or aspirations of a community.
• Objects, symbols and everyday scenes that speak to human rights—sometimes in subtle or unexpected ways.
• Images that explore themes such as dignity, freedom, equality, justice, identity, belonging or participation through creative or abstract photography.
• The relationship between people and their environment, showing how place shapes rights, livelihoods and opportunity.
• Powerful visual metaphors that invite viewers to reflect on human rights beyond the obvious.

Your photograph should tell a story.

When someone looks at your image, they should understand not only what happened, but why it matters.

Your photograph should relate to one or more of IHRDA's areas of work.

Business and Human Rights

How do businesses affect people's lives?

Show us the workers, families and communities whose lives are shaped by business activity.

This might include:

• Safe and dignified workplaces.
• Hazardous or exploitative working conditions.
• Workers demanding fair treatment or safer conditions.
• Child labour and its impact on children's lives.
• Communities affected by mining, pollution or industrial development.
• Environmental destruction and its human consequences.
• Businesses creating positive change and supporting communities.
• Everyday lives shaped by business activity

Climate Justice

Climate change is not only an environmental issue.

It is a human rights issue.

Show us:

• Communities experiencing drought, flooding or environmental degradation.
• Families adapting to climate change.
• Loss of livelihoods.
• Food and water insecurity.
• Community resilience and local solutions.
• Hope, innovation and recovery.

Women's Rights

Tell the stories of women and girls leading change, overcoming barriers or demanding equality.

Capture moments of strength, leadership, resilience and empowerment. Moments of solidarity, courage and hope. Also show us women and girls challenging discrimination, survivors rebuilding their lives, and every ay barriers to equality.

Children's Rights

• What does childhood look like?
• What threatens it?
• What protects it?

We are looking for authentic moments that reflect children's rights, protection, education, struggles as well as wellbeing.

Civic Space and Human Rights Defenders

• Who speaks up?
• Who protects others?
• Who keeps hope alive?

Document the individuals and communities defending rights, promoting justice and strengthening democracy.

Strategic Litigation and Access to Justice

Justice does not begin in the courtroom.

It begins with people.

Show us those seeking justice, supporting others or working to strengthen accountability.

Implementation of Human Rights Decisions

• What changes after a judgment?
• How are communities rebuilding?
• How do legal decisions affect people's daily lives?
• What does waiting for justice look like?

Capture stories that demonstrate progress—or the continuing struggle for implementation.

We are looking for photographs that:

✔ Put people at the centre of the story.

✔ Tell a compelling human story.

✔ Respect the dignity of everyone portrayed.

✔ Capture authentic moments rather than staged scenes.

✔ Demonstrate originality and creativity.

✔ Show strong technical quality.

✔ Encourage viewers to think, question and engage.

Your submission must not:

✘ Have been previously published in print or online.

✘ Have been submitted to another competition or publication where the outcome is still pending.

✘ Include identifiable individuals who have not given their informed written consent (or the consent of a parent or legal guardian where applicable).

✘ Infringe the copyright or intellectual property rights of another person. You must be the sole creator and copyright holder of the photograph.

✘ Be manipulated in a way that misrepresents the reality of the scene. Basic edits such as cropping, exposure and colour correction are permitted.

✘ Contain watermarks, logos, borders or promotional text.