Commentary
Fences and other barriers erected long before the Forum was planned greatly increased the distance women had to walk daily to participate in events around the NGO Forum site. Several, like the one pictured, had gates between key areas and adjacent pathways that were kept chained and padlocked for the duration of the forum. Why? There seemed no logic to this as once past the security checkpoint all areas were accessible.

In my mind these barriers have become metaphors for remnant social practices that persist, unnecessarily, increasing women's workloads, taking their energy needlessly, and contributing nothing to lives. Like ironing...