Pamela Tulizo
Democratic Republic of Congo
Pamela Tulizo started her career as a journalist, but now works primarily as a documentary photographer based in Goma, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Pamela has led two photography exhibitions in Goma, both focusing on women and their role in society.
More recently, she captured images of the country’s Ebola outbreak for Agence France-Presse (AFP), which were featured on news sites around the world.
I love my work, even though most of the time I am in danger… But because I am so passionate about photography, I always tell myself that it's worth it. ”
ActionAid’s Women by Women campaign celebrates the inspiring stories of women in the countries we work in and the female photographers who are capturing these stories from behind the lens.
Learn more about our work changing the lives of women and girls living in poverty, for good.
The main subject of Pamela’s Women by Women photo series is Marcelline Budza.
Marcelline, from Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is the founder of Rebuild Women's Hope (RWH). RWH is a non-profit coffee collective that was set in 2013, with the aim of economically empowering Congolese women.
Marcelline Budza travels across Lake Kivu by speedboat from her home in Bukavu to the Island of Idjwi. There, she will meet women from her coffee collective Rebuild Women's Hope (RWH)
Marcelline Budza travels across Lake Kivu by speedboat from her home in Bukavu to the Island of Idjwi. There, she will meet women from her coffee collective Rebuild Women's Hope (RWH)
There are now nearly 2,000 members who grow high-quality coffee on Idjwi Island and earn an independent income. Their coffee is sold around the world, including in the UK and US.
In 2017, Marcelline won the prestigious Robert Burns Humanitarian Award for founding the collective and transforming the lives of women in the DRC.
“I am very proud to be part of the Women by Women project.
“I really like to tell the story of women in order to break stereotypes.”
Pamela
“Women by Women helps show the world that Congolese women can stand up [for themselves] despite the sad experiences of violence they have faced.
“They can still stand up and contribute to the improvement of a better world for all.”
Pamela
While Marcelline is visiting RWH, she takes time to sit with members of the collective and chat about their concerns including issues around reproductive health and wellbeing
While Marcelline is visiting RWH, she takes time to sit with members of the collective and chat about their concerns including issues around reproductive health and wellbeing
Members of the Rebuild Women’s Hope collective, from left to right, include 40-year-old widow and mother-of-seven Pelagie, mother-of-12 Agnes, 50-year-old widow and mother-of-15 Sikiliza, and 38-year-old mother-of-seven Ntabuguma
Members of the Rebuild Women’s Hope collective, clockwise, include 40-year-old widow and mother-of-seven Pelagie, mother-of-12 Agnes, 50-year-old widow and mother-of-15 Sikiliza, and 38-year-old mother-of-seven Ntabuguma
“Working with Marcelline was a very beautiful experience for me. She is a woman who inspires – a very courageous and strong woman – and I am very proud to have worked on this story through my camera.”
Pamela
Marcelline Budza sits in the main coffee depot in Goma, DRC
Marcelline Budza sits in the main coffee depot in Goma, DRC
Inspiring women like Marcelline are improving the lives of women and girls in their communities every day.
But there's so much more work to do.
The denial of women and girls’ rights is one of the biggest causes of poverty worldwide, and a grave injustice.
That’s why at ActionAid we put the rights of women and girls at the heart of all we do.
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