A social media campaign aimed at presenting role models to young women has taken on a life of its own, with 100 women from all walks of life having got involved.

Photographer Steven Levi Vella prepares the exhibition.

The organisation behind the campaign – the Network of Young Women, set up earlier this year to encourage young female leaders to take a more active role in society – photographed the 100 women, portraying them in the “most natural, raw and authentic context”.

One of the NGO’s founders, Samantha Pace Gasan, told this newspaper that the campaign, in the form of an exhibition called Artemisia: 100 Remarkable Women, was among the first projects it has undertaken.

The exhibition is an installation that includes stories by different women.

“Primarily, the initiative was intended as a social media campaign where we would present women in their leadership context. We spoke with Steven Levi Vella, the director and photographer of the exhibition, who was instantly on board,” she said.

The testimonials cover aspects from challenging subtle gender stereotypes, hindrances to achieving one’s dreams to more severe experiences such as sexual harassment, abuse, rape and self-harm

On the number of women involved – including artists, singers, entrepreneurs, students, educators, academics, activists, politicians, mothers, a nun and others – Ms Pace Gasan said that the NGO was not expecting such a response from them, initially thinking only a few would be interested.

“In all honesty, we were not expecting such a response, but as soon as we started inviting women, the feedback was overwhelming. We invited the women we portray as role models ourselves, women who are all doing a splendid job in their own field,” she said.

Though 100 may seem like a big number to some, Ms Pace Gasan pointed out it did not do justice to the many women on the island who could serve as role models.

“Unfortunately, our resources are limited, and therefore, we had to limit the participants to 100, but there are so many more women who are amazing and whom we would have loved to involve,” Ms Pace Gasan admitted.

The project also served to highlight a number of problems women in Malta were forced to endure on a daily basis, often in silence, she continued.

“Listening to the stories of these women is both fascinating and saddening. The testimonials cover so many aspects, ranging from challenging subtle gender stereotypes, hindrances to achieving one’s dreams to more severe experiences such as sexual harassment, abuse, rape and self-harm,” Ms Pace Gasan added.

Mr Vella, a budding photographer, said that he was intrigued by the idea of shooting 100 portraits of women wearing very little make-up and with few props.

“Shooting close-ups of women wearing no make-up, in front of a plain background was an incredible experience. Listening to their stories was even more inspiring. I’d obviously heard of some of the women and had a completely different idea of them,” he remarked.

Insisting he was an artist and not an activist, Mr Vella said the experience opened his eyes to the need for more awareness, because female leaders doing different roles were lacking in Malta.

“Every woman had a different story to tell, and I can honestly say that I was impressed by every one, from the politician to the housewife. Each one had a special story which I hope comes out in the installation,” Mr Vella said.

The exhibition remains open until Sunday from 10am to 4pm at San Anton Palace, Attard.