OSF’s Documentary Photography Project recently announced the winners of the 2012 Production Grant for photographers from Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Pakistan.

Inna Mkhitaryan’s project looks at the underlying economic, social, and psychological factors that give rise to human trafficking in Armenia and seeks to challenge the stigma against trafficking victims who are often blamed for their own plight.

Arthur Lumen Gevorgyan’s project on the human costs of landslides in Armenia addresses government negligence toward people who live in landslide zones. To help policy makers plan for and prevent disasters in the future, Gevorgyan will provide visual documentation detailing how people who live in landslide zones are affected.

Sitara Ibrahimova’s project will call attention to the practice of selective abortions of girl fetuses in Azerbaijan, which reflects a prevalence of gender inequality and discrimination against girls and women that persists in much of the region.

Elyor Nematov’s project focuses on the severe living and working conditions that migrant laborers from Kyrgyzstan face when they seek better economic opportunities in Russia.

Dina Oganova’s project on Roma communities in Georgia will portray the everyday life of Roma women with the goal of dispelling stereotypes about, and intolerance for, the Roma community.

Daro Sulakauri’s study of the Samtske-Javakheti region of Georgia will look at both the ethnic Armenian and Georgian communities of this historically isolated, tense area.

Darya Komleva’s project seeks to challenge stereotypes of people with disabilities in Kazakhstan by profiling the daily lives of children with disabilities and their families, as well as their experiences with alternative education programs.

Fraidoon Poya will address the rampant problem of suicide through self-immolation in Afghanistan. An issue that is well known but considered taboo, this project will allow for a more complete understanding of why women attempt suicide in this region and what happens to them after so as to prompt much-needed dialogue and change.

Fardin Waezi’s project will portray the resilience of Afghan civilians after decades of war by providing a unique view into the varied experiences of people in Afghanistan.

For more on the winners, other ongoing and archive photo projects, and Moving Walls, visit: the OSF Documentary Photography Project Web site.