Esther Mbabazi
Kampala, Uganda
As a documentary photographer, Esther uses storytelling and photojournalism to address issues in her society that are often overlooked.
Her work explores changing conditions on the African continent, with a focus on the social, economic, physical and emotional aspects of daily life, especially in rural areas and for minority groups.
Esther’s work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, TIME magazine and The Observer. She is a 2018-2020 VII Photo Agency Mentee and recently became a National Geographic Explorer. In 2017, she became a Magnum Foundation Photography & Social Justice Fellow.
Women by Women gives us photographers the opportunity to feel part of our own stories and tell the stories of our own people,” she says.
Women by Women is celebrating the inspiring stories of women in the countries we work in – and the female photographers capturing those stories from behind the lens.
Learn about our work changing the lives of women and girls living in poverty, for good.
Margaret Kasolo, 57, is a nurse at the Kawaala Health Centre IV in Kampala, Uganda. She has been a midwife for 35 years and has worked with ActionAid since 2013 as a gender-based violence focal person at the hospital.
Margaret at work at the health centre
Margaret at work at the health centre
Margaret links women and girls in need of help with ActionAid-supported shelters. At the same time, ActionAid connects those in need of medical attention with Margaret at the hospital.
Margaret educates women at the Kawaala Health Centre in Kampala
Margaret educates women at the Kawaala Health Centre in Kampala
Margaret was inspired to become a midwife because of her mother, who was also a midwife. Her mother took care of Margaret on her own when Margaret’s father passed away.
When she leaves the health centre, Margaret goes to her privately-owned clinic where she attends to patients
When she leaves the health centre, Margaret goes to her privately-owned clinic where she attends to patients
Margaret is a survivor of violence at the hands of her former husband. She now uses her position to help other women and girls rebuild their lives after experiencing violence.
Margaret wakes up at 4am every day and prepares food
Margaret wakes up at 4am every day and prepares food
Margaret's home in Lusaze, Kampala
Margaret's home in Lusaze, Kampala
Asiah, 37, experienced years of domestic violence while raising her four children in the Wakiso district of Uganda.
“Women must work; they have to work for their children and for themselves. Many men out there are cruel, but if you earn an income, you can fight your way out of toxic relationships."
Asiah has been supported by ActionAid since 2013, receiving counselling, financial support and legal assistance to gain custody of her children. She rented a home for her family and opened a hair salon, investing profit in new business ventures.
A hardworking woman of many trades, Asiah sells firewood, makes bricks for the construction of houses and rears chickens. As well as the salon, she also runs a shop.
Now Asiah trains other girls in hairdressing skills through an ActionAid skills programme in her salon.
“I empower them to work hard and to be empowered by themselves. From there, they go and work for themselves. If all women in Uganda can get their chance of empowerment, it can reduce domestic violence in homes.”
Asiah’s daughter, pictured, works in her mother’s salon during her school holidays ahead of her enrolment at university later this year
Asiah’s daughter, pictured, works in her mother’s salon during her school holidays ahead of her enrolment at university later this year
"All I want is to be a strong pillar for my children.
"I want them to learn that you do not have to depend on someone – you have to work for your own freedom and success."
Cossy, 40, is the chair of her local community in Kampala, Uganda. She was asked by her neighbours to represent them after helping many local women in the community.
Years ago, Cossy was badly beaten by her husband after medical tests showed they were both HIV positive. When he passed away, Cossy sought treatment and further support from ActionAid’s local partner, the Makerere Women’s Development Association.
“If ActionAid had not come, I would have died.”
Cossy received training in hairdressing and handicrafts, as well as start-up capital to build her own business. With 200,000 Ugandan Shillings (£40), Cossy bought the materials she needed to run her shop and hair salon. The salon has now been operating for 16 years.
“I have been trained in many areas. I was trained to represent myself as a woman.”
Cossy also works as a facilitator in her local women’s network, called God’s Grace. She trains single women in hairdressing skills and every Saturday she invites women to weave baskets and sell them in her shop.
A portrait of Cossy at her beauty salon, which she has operated for 16 years
A portrait of Cossy at her beauty salon, which she has operated for 16 years
Cossy started working with ActionAid in 2005, through an organisation called the Makerere Women's Development Association (MAWDA)
Cossy started working with ActionAid in 2005, through an organisation called the Makerere Women's Development Association (MAWDA)
Nabuule Shaliwa, 54, is a counsellor for women and girls living with HIV in a poor neighbourhood in Kampala, where she grew up.
A survivor of violence, Nabuule sought help from ActionAid’s partner, Tusitukirewamu, which translates to ‘Let's rise together’.
Through ActionAid’s partner, Nabuule learned how to make reusable sanitary pads. She sells them at affordable prices to women and girls in rural areas, where accessing sanitary pads can be a challenge. She now trains others to make them too.
Among her many business ventures, Nabuule makes liquid soap that she sells to schools and neighbours. "I have paid school fees for some of my children through [selling] jerrycans of liquid soap!" She also works with her teenage sons to make and sell doormats.
In Uganda, more than half of women who have been married report experiencing physical, sexual or emotional violence at the hands of their current or most recent partner.
ActionAid is helping survivors to access justice for crimes against them and gain financial independence. In turn, these women are empowering other women and girls in their communities.
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