#Womensupportingwomen: Why women are posting their black-and-white photos on social media

Women on Instagram are posting black-and-white images of themselves with the caption, “Challenge accepted” and the hashtag #womensupportingwomen,

The challenge is spreading quite rapidly and aims to spread positivity during the pandemic. A participant can nominate as many women they want, through private messages.

Celebrities like Anushka  Sharma, Taapsee Pannu, Sara Ali Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Ananya Pandey and Neha Dhupia have posted a black-and-white image of themselves

It is said that the these photos promote female empowerment, and that nominating friends to take part in the campaign is a way for women to support each other.

The earliest photograph associated with this challenge was posted over a week and a half ago by Brazilian journalist Ana Paula Padrao. As more women started posting such images, the trend caught on and gained momentum

A few reports also suggests that the challenge started in Turkey, where the campaign is associated with raising awareness about femicide in the country. 27-year-old Pinar Gultekin was one of the most recent victims. The university student was reported missing in the Aegean province of Mugla on July 16 and found brutally murdered by her former partner in the woods five days later.