Breaking Barriers Through Photography
At Cameras For Girls, we believe in more than just teaching photography. Our work is about breaking the cycle of poverty, advancing gender equality, and giving young women the power to tell their own stories. In many parts of Africa, the media landscape is overwhelmingly male-dominated, and women struggle to secure opportunities in journalism and photography. Not because they lack talent—but because they lack access to the tools, training, and support needed to compete in these fields.
That’s why we exist.
By equipping young women with photography, storytelling, and business skills, we empower them to break into industries that have long excluded them. We don’t just give them a camera—we give them a voice, a sense of agency, and the ability to shape their own narratives and those of their communities and cultural backgrounds.
Melanie and Mary working on the settings for their Canon cameras, Uganda 2022
Shifting Stereotypes and Challenging Gender Norms
Just today, in a discussion with a young Ugandan man from the startup community, he shared something that struck a chord: before Cameras For Girls, he had never seen a woman with a camera. Photography was always seen as a man’s profession. Now, he sees women confidently capturing stories, working in their communities, and reshaping perceptions.
When I am in Africa for our workshops, men will stop me and ask why they are not included in our program. It’s not about exclusion—it’s about inclusion. Women are constantly being forced into male-dominated spaces, expected to bend to their will, to give of themselves just to be accepted.
The community we have built at Cameras For Girls is one space where they are not forced to comply to fit in. Here, they are accepted for who they are and moulded into ethical storytellers, ready to share their views, aspirations, and goals with the world.
This shift is about more than just jobs—it’s about representation, confidence, and dignity. When young women pick up a camera for the first time, they realize that they have the power to create something from nothing. They document the world through their eyes, challenging stereotypes and rewriting the narrative of what women can achieve.
The Power of Creating Something from Nothing
For many of our students, the experience of taking their first photo is profound. It’s not just about learning a technical skill but about discovering their potential.
Many of these young women have been told their whole lives that they are not enough—not strong enough, not smart enough, not capable enough to work in certain fields. But when they look through the lens and capture a powerful image, they see proof that they can create something meaningful.
This is the kind of fortitude that stays with them for life.
It builds confidence—because they see their work being valued and recognized.
It nurtures resilience—because photography teaches them to keep trying, experiment, learn from mistakes, and, most of all, never give up.
It strengthens their mental health—because creative expression is a powerful outlet for self-reflection and healing.
For many of our students, photography becomes more than a career path—it becomes a way to navigate and process their world. In communities where women’s voices are often silenced, storytelling through images provides a sense of freedom and self-worth.
The Ripple Effect: When Women Thrive, Everyone Wins
Empowering young women with skills and opportunities has a ripple effect beyond their personal successes. When a woman gains financial independence, she is not the only one who benefits—her entire family, community, and industry experience the impact.
Families thrive as women contribute to household income, creating more stability and security.
Parents begin to see that their daughters have the potential to succeed in non-traditional or change their perception of what is okay for their daughters to pursue as a career option.
Communities grow as diverse perspectives enter the media landscape, ensuring more balanced storytelling.
Industries evolve as workplaces become more inclusive, encouraging more women to enter and succeed in male-dominated spaces.
This is why your support is so important. Every camera donated, every training session held, and every opportunity provided creates a lasting impact.
Be Part of the Change
At Cameras For Girls, we’re not just teaching young women how to take photos. We’re teaching them to see their worth, to trust their abilities, and to claim their space in industries that have historically shut them out.
A single camera can change a life, a single story can change perceptions, and a single opportunity can create a future that once seemed impossible.
Will you join this movement? Your support helps us expand our impact, giving more young women the tools and opportunities they deserve.
📸 Join us in transforming lives—one camera, one story, one future at a time.