Is Beneficiary Representation by International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) Still Pornography?

First published: August 31, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/nvsm.1722

Commentary

This paper was investigating whether beneficiaries are represented by international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) to attract the attention of potential donors and whether their representation is a stereotype of people of color living in developing countries.

The study utilized a multi-level methodological approach to understand the content of 320 photographs from the 32 largest INGOs operating in the United States and the overall meaning of these.

The findings suggest that INGOs still portray their beneficiaries in a formulaic way, reinforcing the colonial narrative of the "other" with overwhelming representations of single mothers, infants, and girls, and fewer representations of men and families.

It is stated that this intentionally places more emphasis on positive representation.