The Scars of the War
María Ximena Borrazás Cataldo
Violence against civilians has long been used as a weapon in times of conflict, leaving scars that endure long after the fighting ends. The Scars of War is a long-term documentary project by Maria Ximena Borrazás that brings this reality into focus. It reveals how human dignity is attacked and lives are shattered through acts of exploitation and coercion, regardless of country, ethnicity, skin colour, or religion.
The project draws on stories from Ethiopia, Ukraine, Syria, and other societies torn apart by armed struggle, where survivors continue to live with the lasting consequences of violations committed under the shadow of war. Through images and testimonies, it exposes crimes that often remain hidden, denied, or forgotten, showing both the vulnerability of those targeted and their remarkable resilience.
By presenting these accounts, Borrazás calls attention to the urgent need for stronger protection of civilians during conflict. Unless international laws are enforced with determination, such abuses will persist. The Scars of War is not only a record of suffering, but also an appeal for awareness, accountability, and long-term change.
Medhin, survivor of violence. POS MB 708 2$850
X-ray image showing a nail clipper inserted inside a uterus.POS MB 708 3$500
Handwritten note by Eritrean soldiers.POS MB 708 4
Objects removed from the uterus of 2 abused women.POS MB 708 5
Azera, standing, looks at the place where she was abusedPOS MB 708 6$750
X-ray of Eden, a survivor of extreme violence during the war.POS MB 708 7$500
Tseneat ('strength' in Tigrinya), survivor of extreme violencePOS MB 708 8$200
Letter extracted from a woman's body POS MB 708 9
Twelve-year-old Esther reveals a scar resulting from an attack.POS MB 708 10
Nigsti, survivor of extreme violence. POS MB 708 11$750
X-ray of Delay’s broken arm, survivor of extreme violencePOS MB 708 12$500
X-ray of Delay’s broken arm, survivor of extreme violence POS MB 708 13$500
Hayla, shows her scar from a mass acid attack.POS MB 708 14$200
Azof shows the scars from the fire attack she suffered during the war.POS MB 708 15
Mebhriti with her 2 children, result of abuses by Eritrean soldiers.POS MB 708 16$750
Tirhas, a survivor of extreme violence from the Tigray war.POS MB 708 17$200
X-ray of Eden, war abuse survivor, showing nails inside her body.POS MB 708 18$500
X-ray showing a nail clipper inside a uterus.POS MB 708 19$500