Johanna Alarcón Wins FotoReportage Award for Indigenous Midwifery Series

Ecuadorian photographer Johanna Alarcón has won the 2026 Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award for her photo series, "When the Earth Gives Birth." The project documents indigenous midwifery schools and hospitals in the Ecuadorian Amazon and Andes, highlighting women-led initiatives that provide obstetric healthcare. Alarcón's work focuses on the experiences of midwives, apprentices, and patients, shedding light on efforts to combat high maternal mortality rates among indigenous women. The award celebrates professional female photographers documenting significant social issues.