In the shadow of Brussels' storied Mont des Arts, a fresh open-air exhibition persists until mid-June, upending conventional perceptions of women's identities in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus - areas where advancing gender equality encounters pitfalls of violence and prejudice.

"The Many Faces of Womanhood," a joint effort by the UN and EU, portrays the rich, varied experiences of women in Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine. These women manage households alone, create art, sustain livelihoods, and take up arms on the front lines defending their nations.

Featuring figures like world wrestling champion Irina Rîngaci and Ukrainian sniper-journalist Olena Bilozerska, the 36 photographs boldly embrace the nuances of contemporary womanhood - uniting individuals who transcended rigid gender norms.

Elisa Fernandez Saenz, UN Women's deputy regional director, explained to EUobserver that the show illuminates "women in their diverse roles, women in their complexities."

The exhibit's launch aligns with pressing global dynamics. Fernandez calls it a vital countermeasure amid a worldwide "gender backlash," where conservative trends in certain areas frame gender equality as a peril.

At the Friday (8 May) opening, Laurence Gillois from UN Women's Brussels office hailed the narratives in the photos as symbols of advancement.

"Persistent stereotypes still shape economic involvement, leadership opportunities, and escape from violence," Gillois noted.

The photographs stay visible until 14 June, after which they will tour the home countries of their subjects.

Photographer Olga Ivaschenko, who documented Ukraine's battlefields as a photojournalist, forged bonds with many subjects via mutual defiance amid war.