Melanie Blanding: Women in War ZonesIn August 2005, Melanie Blanding was part of a humanitarian needs assessment team that was looking for ways to respond to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan and the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Because national media was heavily covering circumstances in Darfur at the time, Blanding was prepared for what she saw when the team arrived in Sudan. However scant news coverage had been dedicated to the DRC and the violence women were being subjected to there was shocking. Blanding returned to Western Kentucky University for her senior year committed to finding a way to return to the DRC and use photography to raise awareness about the gross human rights violations openly taking place with impunity against women.
Through self-funding, support from family and friends, and grants from the Alexia Foundation, the Virginia Press Photographers Association and Western Kentucky University, Blanding was able to return to Bukavu, Congo for two months during the summer of 2006. Two filmmakers, Blanding’s brother Scott and his friend Brad LaBriola, returned with her to produce a documentary on the same subject. The three lived within the gates of Panzi Hospital allowing them to develop close friendships with the women being treated there.
Since completing her project in the DRC Blanding has been traveling to deliver lectures about her work and has attended conferences to promote awareness and encourage an end to the violence in Congo. Blanding and the two film makers formed an organization called “Made Known”, an entity that serves to distribute their work and host the “Wamu Fund “ – a literacy aid program in memory of one of the women featured in Made Known’s film, Women in War Zones. The National Press Photographers Association awarded the Congo portrait series of scarred women 3rd place in its annual International Best of Photography contest. The series was also included in a portfolio for which Blanding was awarded Kentucky College Photographer of the Year in 2007. Blanding recently lectured at the Monmouth Museum in New Jersey, presented at the Americans for Informed Democracy conference in London, and has met with high school and university students in Kentucky and Virginia. Additionally she has shared her work with photography clubs and women’s and missions groups at churches in Virginia.
Blanding has exhibited her work at the O. Winston Link Museum in Roanoke, VA, Western Kentucky University, Syracuse University London Program, and in Philadelphia, PA to promote awareness and encourage an end to the violence in Congo.
Recently she began master’s degree work in Visual Anthropology at the University of Manchester, England. Upon completing her degree, she plans to continue humanitarian photography.
Melanie Blanding is affiliated with Made Known, LLC (www.womeninwarzones.org).http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/003medicalcare07/507656754_bFyWK-Ti.jpghttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/gallery/7835184_f6EJJ/2009-04-07T05:07:36ZCopyright 2009, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved.SmugMugWomen receive post operation care in the VVS program at Panzi Hospital. Jeanne, left, 20, of Kitutu, Mwenga, in South Kivu has had three surgeries in 10 months since arriving at Panzi Hospit ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />Women receive post operation care in the VVS program at Panzi Hospital. Jeanne, left, 20, of Kitutu, Mwenga, in South Kivu has had three surgeries in 10 months since arriving at Panzi Hospit ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656754_bFyWK" title="Women receive post operation care in the VVS program at Panzi Hospital. Jeanne, left, 20, of Kitutu, Mwenga, in South Kivu has had three surgeries in 10 months since arriving at Panzi Hospit ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/003medicalcare07/507656754_bFyWK-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Women receive post operation care in the VVS program at Panzi Hospital. Jeanne, left, 20, of Kitutu, Mwenga, in South Kivu has had three surgeries in 10 months since arriving at Panzi Hospit ..." title="Women receive post operation care in the VVS program at Panzi Hospital. Jeanne, left, 20, of Kitutu, Mwenga, in South Kivu has had three surgeries in 10 months since arriving at Panzi Hospit ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:07:36Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/003medicalcare07/507656754_bFyWK-Th.jpg2006-06-27 10:27:58Nabintu, 30, was attacked by two Interahamwe rebels on her way to her family’s field outside her village, Kaziba, South Kivu. Nabintu tried to fight back but the soldiers stabbed her with ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />Nabintu, 30, was attacked by two Interahamwe rebels on her way to her family’s field outside her village, Kaziba, South Kivu. Nabintu tried to fight back but the soldiers stabbed her with ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656710_LAVSm" title="Nabintu, 30, was attacked by two Interahamwe rebels on her way to her family’s field outside her village, Kaziba, South Kivu. Nabintu tried to fight back but the soldiers stabbed her with ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait01/507656710_LAVSm-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Nabintu, 30, was attacked by two Interahamwe rebels on her way to her family’s field outside her village, Kaziba, South Kivu. Nabintu tried to fight back but the soldiers stabbed her with ..." title="Nabintu, 30, was attacked by two Interahamwe rebels on her way to her family’s field outside her village, Kaziba, South Kivu. Nabintu tried to fight back but the soldiers stabbed her with ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:08:41Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait01/507656710_LAVSm-Th.jpg2006-07-14 14:14:59Panzi Hospital reported that they treated 3600 women for violent sexual crimes perpetrated by rebel and government military personnel in 2005. Supported by ECHO and the Swedish Pentecostal M ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />Panzi Hospital reported that they treated 3600 women for violent sexual crimes perpetrated by rebel and government military personnel in 2005. Supported by ECHO and the Swedish Pentecostal M ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656764_MXiiu" title="Panzi Hospital reported that they treated 3600 women for violent sexual crimes perpetrated by rebel and government military personnel in 2005. Supported by ECHO and the Swedish Pentecostal M ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/005humanitarian19/507656764_MXiiu-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Panzi Hospital reported that they treated 3600 women for violent sexual crimes perpetrated by rebel and government military personnel in 2005. Supported by ECHO and the Swedish Pentecostal M ..." title="Panzi Hospital reported that they treated 3600 women for violent sexual crimes perpetrated by rebel and government military personnel in 2005. Supported by ECHO and the Swedish Pentecostal M ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:08:41Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/005humanitarian19/507656764_MXiiu-Th.jpg2006-07-10 11:46:13A friend braids Madeleine’s hair while she cares for another woman’s child one morning at Panzi Hospital. Most women suffer severe psychological trauma after the attacks. Madeleine spent ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />A friend braids Madeleine’s hair while she cares for another woman’s child one morning at Panzi Hospital. Most women suffer severe psychological trauma after the attacks. Madeleine spent ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656768_HqHjT" title="A friend braids Madeleine’s hair while she cares for another woman’s child one morning at Panzi Hospital. Most women suffer severe psychological trauma after the attacks. Madeleine spent ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/006madeleine12/507656768_HqHjT-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="A friend braids Madeleine’s hair while she cares for another woman’s child one morning at Panzi Hospital. Most women suffer severe psychological trauma after the attacks. Madeleine spent ..." title="A friend braids Madeleine’s hair while she cares for another woman’s child one morning at Panzi Hospital. Most women suffer severe psychological trauma after the attacks. Madeleine spent ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:08:41Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/006madeleine12/507656768_HqHjT-Th.jpg2006-07-26 17:26:09On July 31, 2006 Dr. Mukanire Ntakwinja tells Madeleine during a morning check-up that she is recovering slowly and will need to remain in post-operation until he releases her. Every woman i ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />On July 31, 2006 Dr. Mukanire Ntakwinja tells Madeleine during a morning check-up that she is recovering slowly and will need to remain in post-operation until he releases her. Every woman i ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656779_FQLt7" title="On July 31, 2006 Dr. Mukanire Ntakwinja tells Madeleine during a morning check-up that she is recovering slowly and will need to remain in post-operation until he releases her. Every woman i ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/006madeleine16/507656779_FQLt7-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="On July 31, 2006 Dr. Mukanire Ntakwinja tells Madeleine during a morning check-up that she is recovering slowly and will need to remain in post-operation until he releases her. Every woman i ..." title="On July 31, 2006 Dr. Mukanire Ntakwinja tells Madeleine during a morning check-up that she is recovering slowly and will need to remain in post-operation until he releases her. Every woman i ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:08:41Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/006madeleine16/507656779_FQLt7-Th.jpg2006-07-31 09:39:56Margarita, of Burundi, makes the two-hour ride from a clinic in Kamanyola, South Kivu, in a Panzi Hospital Ambulance. Margarita was attacked by soldiers and will receive treatment for her in ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />Margarita, of Burundi, makes the two-hour ride from a clinic in Kamanyola, South Kivu, in a Panzi Hospital Ambulance. Margarita was attacked by soldiers and will receive treatment for her in ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656748_Pgus7" title="Margarita, of Burundi, makes the two-hour ride from a clinic in Kamanyola, South Kivu, in a Panzi Hospital Ambulance. Margarita was attacked by soldiers and will receive treatment for her in ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/003medicalcare05/507656748_Pgus7-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Margarita, of Burundi, makes the two-hour ride from a clinic in Kamanyola, South Kivu, in a Panzi Hospital Ambulance. Margarita was attacked by soldiers and will receive treatment for her in ..." title="Margarita, of Burundi, makes the two-hour ride from a clinic in Kamanyola, South Kivu, in a Panzi Hospital Ambulance. Margarita was attacked by soldiers and will receive treatment for her in ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:08:41Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/003medicalcare05/507656748_Pgus7-Th.jpg2006-06-14 14:14:56Maria, 22, of Kindu, Maniema, undergoes surgery to repair a fistula at DOCS (Doctors on Call for Service) HEAL Africa clinic in Goma, North Kivu. A fistula is a tear in the vaginal tissue, l ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />Maria, 22, of Kindu, Maniema, undergoes surgery to repair a fistula at DOCS (Doctors on Call for Service) HEAL Africa clinic in Goma, North Kivu. A fistula is a tear in the vaginal tissue, l ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656746_JBDTD" title="Maria, 22, of Kindu, Maniema, undergoes surgery to repair a fistula at DOCS (Doctors on Call for Service) HEAL Africa clinic in Goma, North Kivu. A fistula is a tear in the vaginal tissue, l ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/003medicalcare03/507656746_JBDTD-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Maria, 22, of Kindu, Maniema, undergoes surgery to repair a fistula at DOCS (Doctors on Call for Service) HEAL Africa clinic in Goma, North Kivu. A fistula is a tear in the vaginal tissue, l ..." title="Maria, 22, of Kindu, Maniema, undergoes surgery to repair a fistula at DOCS (Doctors on Call for Service) HEAL Africa clinic in Goma, North Kivu. A fistula is a tear in the vaginal tissue, l ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:08:41Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/003medicalcare03/507656746_JBDTD-Th.jpg2006-06-02 06:08:29Three Interahamwe rebels attacked Nabintu, 43, of Kaziba, South Kivu, in 1996 while she was traveling on a small path just outside the village. She resisted the rebels until they cut her dee ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />Three Interahamwe rebels attacked Nabintu, 43, of Kaziba, South Kivu, in 1996 while she was traveling on a small path just outside the village. She resisted the rebels until they cut her dee ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656725_Gfjep" title="Three Interahamwe rebels attacked Nabintu, 43, of Kaziba, South Kivu, in 1996 while she was traveling on a small path just outside the village. She resisted the rebels until they cut her dee ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait13/507656725_Gfjep-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Three Interahamwe rebels attacked Nabintu, 43, of Kaziba, South Kivu, in 1996 while she was traveling on a small path just outside the village. She resisted the rebels until they cut her dee ..." title="Three Interahamwe rebels attacked Nabintu, 43, of Kaziba, South Kivu, in 1996 while she was traveling on a small path just outside the village. She resisted the rebels until they cut her dee ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:08:41Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait13/507656725_Gfjep-Th.jpg2006-07-14 14:52:15Two Interahamwe rebels raped Nankafu, 35, in October 2005 while she was in the bush on her way to farm. Her husband left her alone to care for their five children and the sixth she is now ca ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />Two Interahamwe rebels raped Nankafu, 35, in October 2005 while she was in the bush on her way to farm. Her husband left her alone to care for their five children and the sixth she is now ca ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656728_rYY7L" title="Two Interahamwe rebels raped Nankafu, 35, in October 2005 while she was in the bush on her way to farm. Her husband left her alone to care for their five children and the sixth she is now ca ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait14/507656728_rYY7L-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Two Interahamwe rebels raped Nankafu, 35, in October 2005 while she was in the bush on her way to farm. Her husband left her alone to care for their five children and the sixth she is now ca ..." title="Two Interahamwe rebels raped Nankafu, 35, in October 2005 while she was in the bush on her way to farm. Her husband left her alone to care for their five children and the sixth she is now ca ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:08:41Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait14/507656728_rYY7L-Th.jpg2006-07-14 15:13:54Jacqueline and her husband were attacked by the Interahamwe in Walungu, South Kivu, in 2004. Her husband was killed and Jacqueline now has a one-year-old child who is a product of the rape. ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />Jacqueline and her husband were attacked by the Interahamwe in Walungu, South Kivu, in 2004. Her husband was killed and Jacqueline now has a one-year-old child who is a product of the rape. ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656731_mZsAt" title="Jacqueline and her husband were attacked by the Interahamwe in Walungu, South Kivu, in 2004. Her husband was killed and Jacqueline now has a one-year-old child who is a product of the rape. ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait22/507656731_mZsAt-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Jacqueline and her husband were attacked by the Interahamwe in Walungu, South Kivu, in 2004. Her husband was killed and Jacqueline now has a one-year-old child who is a product of the rape. ..." title="Jacqueline and her husband were attacked by the Interahamwe in Walungu, South Kivu, in 2004. Her husband was killed and Jacqueline now has a one-year-old child who is a product of the rape. ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:08:41Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait22/507656731_mZsAt-Th.jpg2006-07-25 15:02:48Ntakwinja, 50, and her son, Ruhune, stand in the doorway of the home where she was attacked and raped by Rwandan Hutu rebels in July 2005. She watched as her husband was killed by the same m ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />Ntakwinja, 50, and her son, Ruhune, stand in the doorway of the home where she was attacked and raped by Rwandan Hutu rebels in July 2005. She watched as her husband was killed by the same m ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656735_6uPAe" title="Ntakwinja, 50, and her son, Ruhune, stand in the doorway of the home where she was attacked and raped by Rwandan Hutu rebels in July 2005. She watched as her husband was killed by the same m ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait24/507656735_6uPAe-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Ntakwinja, 50, and her son, Ruhune, stand in the doorway of the home where she was attacked and raped by Rwandan Hutu rebels in July 2005. She watched as her husband was killed by the same m ..." title="Ntakwinja, 50, and her son, Ruhune, stand in the doorway of the home where she was attacked and raped by Rwandan Hutu rebels in July 2005. She watched as her husband was killed by the same m ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:08:41Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait24/507656735_6uPAe-Th.jpg2006-07-25 15:18:52Nabuchi, 45, was attacked and raped one day in 1997 while she made her way to the market. She was attacked a second time a few years later while she was in her home in Kaziba, South Kivu. Re ...<p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com">aschcenter</a><br />Nabuchi, 45, was attacked and raped one day in 1997 while she made her way to the market. She was attacked a second time a few years later while she was in her home in Kaziba, South Kivu. Re ...</p><p><a href="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/7835184_f6EJJ#507656718_Pp5Jb" title="Nabuchi, 45, was attacked and raped one day in 1997 while she made her way to the market. She was attacked a second time a few years later while she was in her home in Kaziba, South Kivu. Re ..."><img src="http://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait07/507656718_Pp5Jb-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Nabuchi, 45, was attacked and raped one day in 1997 while she made her way to the market. She was attacked a second time a few years later while she was in her home in Kaziba, South Kivu. Re ..." title="Nabuchi, 45, was attacked and raped one day in 1997 while she made her way to the market. She was attacked a second time a few years later while she was in her home in Kaziba, South Kivu. Re ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-07T05:08:41Zaschcenterhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.comhttp://aschcenter.smugmug.com/Other/Melanie-Blanding-Women-in-War/002portrait07/507656718_Pp5Jb-Th.jpg2006-07-14 14:01:34