Faces of Fearless is a photo series that aims to challenge prejudices and injustices faced by women and gender-diverse individuals in society. It showcases girls and non-binary youth, between the ages of 9 and 14, who participate in Project Fearless, a space in Amsterdam that, in a supportive and empowering atmosphere, offers them activities and sports that are often monopolized by men.
Despite all the dialogues about equality, women and non-binary people are still stereotyped even in Western countries, especially if they try to fit into male-dominated spaces. They have long been discriminated against by society and made to believe that they are inferior or less important than men. This bias is deeply deep-rooted and perpetuated by cultural norms, media portrayals, and even institutional policies.
Faces of Fearless is a project that seeks to challenge these norms underscoring the importance of empowering young girls and non-binary youth by promoting their confidence, fostering their self-awareness, and celebrating their individuality. This will enable them to redefine their self-perception from scratch and, by doing so, we can begin to shift cultural perceptions and attitudes towards girls, women, and gender-diverse individuals.
This photographic work consists of 10 portraits, each accompanied by a short statement from the subject, answering the question “What makes you fearless?”
Alma, Run club
I’ve been doing this course for a really long time and I kept up even when it was hard and I just really try to do my best a lot and don’t give up that much. That’s what makes me fearless.
Zoë, Skateboarding (age group 9-11)
I think that it makes me fearless that I’m a girl and I’m on a board in a skatepark and there are a lot of boys but I still can do cool tricks so that can make me fearless.
Meesha, Skateboarding (age group 12-14)
What makes me fearless is probably being able to see other women and girls doing stuff I want to do, so when I see them doing it I know I am able to do it and I just have the urgent need to just go and try out.
Thea, Bouldering
What makes me fearless, I guess knowing that when you finish doing what you’ve done you’re still ok, if you don’t want to do something, you’ll still be fine afterwards, so yeah, I get courage from that if I’m scared to do something like a corona test .
Miriam, Kickboxing (centrum)
What makes me fearless is knowing that everyone will support me when I try something new and knowing that if others can do it, I can too. And that everyone is really nice and that I will be supported.
Dora, Entrepreneurship
What makes me fearless it’s especially my attitude. So when I just decided to just go for it, then I’m already in the middle of the action. So I don’t have to think of the fears as much as before, because if I don’t then I just think through everything, and then it makes me more scared, so just going for it is the easiest way. Also being supported by other people, because I feel like there’s always something positive in what I do, and being optimistic.
Terriann, ARTivism with Polaroid
I dare to stand up for other people, not only myself, and I think that makes me fearless.
Deshamiley, Football
I’m not scared of things I’m doing and I’m doing things I want to do.
Intissar, Football
Football makes me fearless because I am able to clear my head when I’m playing and I don’t think of anything anymore.
Tenzin, Kickboxing (New West)
I am not scared to dance and be on stage, and be in front of people and perform.