Why Sponsors Are Vital to Our Work at Cameras For Girls
At Cameras For Girls, we believe in the transformative power of photography to uplift young women in Africa. Through our year-long, four-phase program, we equip them with the skills and tools to pursue meaningful careers in journalism and storytelling—fields that are predominantly male-dominated. But to continue making this impact, we need partners who see the value in our mission and are willing to stand with us in creating lasting change. This is where sponsorship plays a crucial role.
Sustaining and Expanding Our Programs
As a small charity, we’ve managed to do a lot with limited resources. But to sustain and grow our programs, we need sponsors who believe in the work we’re doing. Every camera we give to a young woman, every workshop we organize, and every mentorship session we offer comes at a cost. With the support of sponsors, we can continue to provide the essential tools and training that help these women escape poverty, break down gender barriers, and create new opportunities for themselves.
According to UN Women, women represent only 24% of people seen, heard, or read about in news media, meaning their perspectives are rarely shared. By equipping young women with the skills to enter this field, our sponsors enable them to create and share stories that are often overlooked.
Empowering More Women
Currently, our program operates in Uganda, and Tanzania, with plans to expand to seven African countries by 2030. However, our ability to reach more young women is limited by our financial capacity. Sponsorship helps bridge this gap, allowing us to bring our program to more cities, universities, and communities. The more sponsorship we secure, the more women we can equip with cameras, skills, and confidence to tell their stories and pursue professional careers.
UN Women notes that globally, one in three women experiences gender-based violence, often due to economic vulnerability. By helping us equip women with tools and skills to achieve financial independence, sponsors enable us to address a root cause of this cycle. When women have the skills to work in media and journalism, they become not only economically self-sufficient but also catalysts for change within their communities.
Driving Gender Equality in Media
Our goal at Cameras For Girls is not just to teach photography—it’s to challenge the status quo in the media industry. In Africa, women face significant barriers when trying to break into journalism and media roles. Sponsorship helps us continue the fight for gender equality in these spaces, offering young women not just a camera but a voice. By supporting our work, sponsors become allies in the broader movement for equality and inclusion in male-dominated industries.
Only 14% of top management positions in media organizations worldwide are held by women, according to UN Women. By training young women in photography and journalism, we’re working to balance this equation, helping them enter and excel in these roles and advocating for their stories to be seen and heard. With the help of sponsors, we can challenge the statistics and change the narrative.
For many young women, our program is a stepping stone toward financial independence and personal growth. The skills they gain not only help them land jobs but also ripple out to their families and communities. Sponsors play a crucial role in making this long-term impact possible. With each dollar or camera donated, they are helping to build a sustainable future for women who, in turn, become role models for others in their communities.
UN Women has highlighted the connection between women’s economic participation and societal prosperity, stating that increasing women’s presence in the workplace could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. Our program not only helps young women enter the workforce but also supports them in becoming community leaders, advancing gender equality and promoting economic resilience across the region.
Innovating for the Future
Sponsorship also allows us to innovate and evolve our programming. Whether it's offering more in-depth training in ethical storytelling, providing business skills workshops, or developing new online learning platforms, the generosity of sponsors fuels our ability to grow. With these partnerships, we can continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible for young women in media across Africa.
Encouraging women to participate fully in media and other sectors is essential to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a key foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. By supporting our program, sponsors are directly contributing to the achievement of SDG 5 (Gender Equality), benefiting individuals and communities around the world.
Conclusion
At Cameras For Girls, our work is driven by passion, but passion alone isn’t enough. We need the support of sponsors who recognize the value of supporting young women and are willing to invest in their futures. Together, we can continue to change lives, break down gender barriers, and bring new voices to the global media landscape. We invite you to join us on this journey.