Cameras For Girls Empowers New Cohort of Storytellers with 4th Successful Photography Workshop in Uganda.
In the heart of Kampala, Uganda, through our charity, Cameras For Girls, we are empowering young women through the art of photography to support their goals to get gainful employment in the male-dominated journalism and communications fields. From June 9th to 12th, 2023, we successfully organized our 4th photography workshop, igniting creativity and amplifying the voices of aspiring storytellers. Through this transformative experience, our workshop provided technical skills and fostered a sense of empowerment among the participants. Let's delve into the remarkable journey of these budding journalists and the impact of Cameras For Girls' unwavering dedication.
Cameras For Girls celebrates last day of in-person workshop with 4th cohort of students in Uganda
Unleashing Creativity and Skills
During the workshop, Cameras For Girls provided a nurturing environment for participants to explore their creativity and develop their photography skills. Through hands-on sessions, aspiring storytellers learned about composition, lighting, and capturing powerful moments while learning how to operate their gifted cameras. Expert volunteer photographers guide them through various aspects of photography, empowering them with the tools and knowledge to tell compelling visual stories.
In this cohort, we had more than 50 young women who applied from journalism programs at Makerere University and Uganda Christian University. We could only accept 18 of them. Many of these young women come from a university-based journalism program with little or no photography and practical storytelling skills. Lack of practical experience further exacerbates the problem of securing paid work because many media houses, run by men, place this as a gender-based barrier to employment in the journalism and photography fields. Furthermore, the lack of a camera is also a barrier that Cameras For Girls is happy to supply along with the 4-phase curated curriculum.
Through the 4-days together, the transformation of some of these women is astounding. They go from timid beings having never touched a camera before to confident young women ready to take on the world with vigour and enthusiasm as they realize a newfound skill.
Fostering Empowerment
Cameras For Girls understands the importance of empowerment beyond technical skills. Through interactive sessions and discussions, the workshop focused on gender equality and empowering young women to embrace their voices. Discussions surrounding the lack of representation and the challenge around fair pay and harassment on and off the job were also raised during the 4-day workshop. The participants were encouraged to express their perspectives and capture the world through their unique lenses. By cultivating self-confidence and self-expression, Cameras For Girls instilled a sense of empowerment that will resonate beyond the workshop.
The 4th day of the workshop proved this in action as we worked with Girl Up Initiative Uganda, a local NGO which works with young girls to provide education and skills-based training to earn an income now and not later. Our young women and their beneficiaries spent the day together, speaking about shared experiences, learning about each other's lives and more. This experience puts the three previous days into action as our students are tasked with telling the stories of these young girls both visually with a minimum of 20 photos and also written through a 500-word article. They then have three weeks to complete the first assignment, which starts the year off on the right foot.
As I mentioned before, our girls come from a theoretical background, not a practical one, so this experience helps them understand the basic steps of researching, developing, and building a story for publication – something that genuinely helps them develop their skills and portfolios.
The workshop in Uganda also aimed to break barriers and challenge societal stereotypes. Cameras For Girls believes that everyone, regardless of their gender, should have equal opportunities to pursue their passions and dreams. By providing a platform for girls to thrive in the male-dominated field of journalism and photography, the charity is actively shattering stereotypes and promoting gender equality.
Impact and Future Prospects
The success of the 4th photography workshop in Uganda is a testament to the transformative power of Cameras For Girls. Beyond equipping participants with technical skills, the workshop has created a ripple effect of inspiration and empowerment. The newly empowered storytellers are now equipped with the tools to capture their communities' narratives, advocate for social change, and elevate their voices.
Looking ahead, Cameras For Girls envisions expanding its reach, enabling more young girls and women across Africa to harness the power of photography by developing their innate ability to tell stories. By nurturing future generations of storytellers, the charity aims to create a more inclusive and equitable world where everyone can freely express themselves and be heard.
Conclusion
Cameras For Girls' 4th photography workshop in Uganda has cultivated a new cohort of skilled photographers, fostered empowerment, and challenged societal norms. Through a unique blend of technical training and fostering self-expression, Cameras For Girls continues to inspire young girls to become storytellers of their own lives. With each click of the shutter, these empowered individuals are capturing the essence of their communities, breaking barriers, and shaping a brighter future for all.