How a Simple Camera Can Remove Barriers for Girls in Africa
In many parts of the world, a camera is a tool for creativity or a way to capture memories. But for girls in Africa, a camera can be much more—it's a powerful instrument for change. At Cameras For Girls, we've witnessed how this simple tool can dismantle barriers, empower young women, and create lasting career opportunities in male-dominated media spaces.
Girls in Uganda from the 3rd cohort on a photowalk with their Canon cameras.
The Barriers Girls Face in Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, 65% of women work in vulnerable employment, often in unpaid or poorly paid jobs with little stability or security (UN Women, 2022). The challenges are even greater for young women pursuing careers in media. Gender bias, cultural norms, and financial constraints make it nearly impossible for many women to access the tools and skills needed to succeed.
Even in countries with growing media industries, less than 30% of employees in journalism and media roles are women, and even fewer occupy leadership positions (UNESCO, 2021). Young women are often excluded from opportunities without access to practical training and equipment, even after completing formal education.
The Power of a Camera
At first glance, a camera might not seem like the answer to these systemic challenges. However, for the young women in our program, it represents a key to unlocking opportunities.
At Cameras For Girls, we've seen how equipping young women with a camera and skills-based training can transform their lives. Our program includes four critical phases:
Skill Development: Photography and storytelling training that teaches photography skills from beginner to advanced, ethical storytelling, community engagement, and business skills.
Practical Equipment: Cameras are expensive, often costing several months' salary in many African countries. By providing cameras, we eliminate a significant financial hurdle and a gender-based barrier to employment, as most media houses require a woman to own a camera and know how to use it. In contrast, a male does not have the same requirements.
Mentorship and Networking: Connecting women with mentors and internships in the media industry to build their professional networks.
Employment Support: Helping graduates find work and navigate male-dominated workplaces.
Real Impact, Real Lives
Since 2018, Cameras For Girls has trained over 100 young women across Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa. Of these, 80% have secured paid work in journalism, photography, or related fields. This is more than just a statistic—it's a lifeline for women who might otherwise face a lifetime of economic hardship.
One of our students, Joyce Mollan, dreamed of becoming a photojournalist but needed more tools like a camera and photography skills to pursue her passion. After completing our program, she landed her first job as a personal photographer for a government minister. Today, she's building her professional brand and mentoring others, proving that a single camera can change a life.
Training women like Joyce isn't just about individual success—it creates ripple effects that uplift entire communities. According to UN Women, every dollar invested in women's empowerment yields $7 in return through increased productivity, improved community health, and greater social stability (UN Women, 2021). By training and equipping young women, Cameras For Girls is not just changing lives but also fostering long-term, systemic change.
Why Your Support Matters
Next year, in 2025, we aim to expand our program in Uganda, increasing our reach from 15 to 75 young women. To achieve this goal, we need your support to fund 75 cameras, training resources, and mentorship opportunities.
Your donation provides:
Cameras for students, eliminating financial hurdles.
Intensive training in photography, storytelling, and business skills to help them go from dreamers to actually carving out a career in male-dominated media spaces.
Mentorship programs connecting young women with industry leaders.
Opportunities to showcase their work and build professional portfolios.
How You Can Help
Empowering one girl with a camera has a ripple effect. It's not just a tool—it's a means of escape from poverty, a platform to share stories, and a symbol of equality in a world that often silences women's voices.
Here's how you can help:
Donate: Every contribution, regardless of size, moves us closer to our goal of purchasing cameras for 75 young women in 2025.
Share our story: Help us reach a wider audience by sharing this blog or our fundraiser link.
Partner with us: Organizations and individuals who align with our vision can provide additional support, from funding to mentorship opportunities.
When you support Cameras For Girls, you're not just giving a girl a camera—you're giving her a future. Join us in showing the world what's possible when we invest in young women's potential.