Carmignac Photojournalism Award 2018, Saatchi Gallery

Female human trafficking and forced prostitution: a grim undercurrent of life in Nepal following the devastating 2015 earthquake. With unemployment at an all time high, and living conditions at an all time low, trafficking, notably of women and young girls has steadily increased.

Photojournalist Lizzie Sadin has graphically, and honestly documented this illegal trade in her ground-breaking project 'The Trap', in turn, winning the 8th edition of the Carmignac Photojournalism Award. Established in 2009 by the Fondation Carmignac to support young talent, the Carmignac Photojournalism Award is now one of the year’s most inspiring and prestigious photography competitions.

© Lizzie Sadin for Fondation Carmignac

After three months based in Nepal between February and May 2017, the French photojournalist returned to tell a deeply moving tale. Her electric photographs zoom in on the the triggers, causes and effects of gender-based human trafficking in Nepal, an issue inextricably linked to the region's current social climate. In a country where women are still regarded as inferior to men and struggle to obtain a good education - turning to prostitution out of financial need - Sadin's harrowing Carmignac project brings gender-based human trafficking out of the shadows.

© Lizzie Sadin for Fondation Carmignac

Two years ago the Saatchi Gallery held a retrospective of all past winners showing a mostly uncomfortable selection of 40 photos from around the world - with conflict being the overriding and inevitable theme. Ranging from reportage in Chechnya (Davide Monteleone) and Iran (Newsha Tavakolian) to Gaza (Kai Wiedenhöfer) and Zimbabwe (Robin Hammond), the diversity and international flavour of this Award makes it one of the year’s most inspiring photography competitions.

This year, the Carmignac Photojournalism Award exhibition at London's Saatchi Gallery is dedicated in its entirety to Sadin's illuminating project.

About the Carmignac Photojournalism Award

In 2009, Fondation Carmignac established the Carmignac Photojournalism Award with the aim of funding annually the production of an investigative photo reportage on human rights violations in the world. Selected by an international jury, the laureate receives an endowment of 50,000 euros, enabling them to carry out an in-depth reportage on the ground, with the logistical support of Fondation Carmignac.