2. PROEXPOSURE: pushing a female perspective Women are the poorest people in the world. Centuries of patriarchy have kept women in the shadows. In many developing countries, girls leave school early to look after livestock while their brothers get an education. Too often, women marry young, live behind closed doors, and get locked into roles as wives and mothers. Working women face fewer opportunities, unequal pay, childcare problems and, in rural areas, long hours of backbreaking work on other people’s land.

3. PROEXPOSURE believes in putting power back into women’s hands – literally. For us, a camera is power. Through photography, young women can make money, grow in confidence, gain respect, and portray the realities of their lives.

4. This is Frewoine, 22, from Ethiopia. She was trained in 2005 “I used to be a shepherd looking after goats and cattle that my family owned. Now I am a photographer. I still can’t believe it!”

5. “Before, my only option was to get married and have a family but I didn’t want that. I was very worried about that future. Now I can depend on myself. I am my own person.” Photo by Freweini

6. “One of the best things about being a photographer is the chance to travel to beautiful places like churches and big cities. I had never really left my home before.” Photo by Freweini

7. Yenenesh, 30, and daughter Rahwa, 12, from Ethiopia. Yenenesh was trained in 2005. “I went for it. I saw photography as a way out. I thought this would be a good way to earn an income and stand on my own two feet.”

8. “I was in an arranged marriage at 18, organised by my parents. I didn’t know at the time, but my husband was already HIV positive. Two years later, I found out I was HIV positive too.” “I was in an arranged marriage at 18, organised by my parents. I didn’t know at the time, but my husband was already HIV positive. Two years later, I found out I was HIV positive too.” Photos by Yenenesh.

9. “My favourite pictures are of my daughter, about our life together. When I look back at those pictures, it makes me realise how far we have come. It is a way to document our history.” Photo by Yenenesh

10. This is Giselle, 20, from Rwanda. Giselle became a photographer in 2010 “When the genocide took place I was four. I was hidden from the bad things that happened. The people took me away and covered me in banana leaves and I just stayed silent. But the silence carried on. The silence went hand-in-hand with the sadness.” This is Giselle, 20, from Rwanda. Giselle became a photographer in 2010 “When the genocide took place I was four. I was hidden from the bad things that happened. The people took me away and covered me in banana leaves and I just stayed silent. But the silence carried on. The silence went hand-in-hand with the sadness.”

11. “Today, I am coming out of my shell. I have learned how to hold a camera, how to take a photograph, how to work in different light conditions, how to use a computer, how to download pictures, how to train people in photography… should I go on?” Photo by Giselle

12. “We are the new generation, the people who can make a difference. Before the genocide, not all children were given equal chances to study. More emphasis was placed on boys. Now things are changing.” Photo by Giselle

13. Grace, 23, from Rwanda became a photographer in 2010 “Photography has given me the opportunity to visit places and meet people. I have learned so many things about the camera. I have learned about myself too. I am shy but beginning to develop confidence.” Grace, 23, from Rwanda became a photographer in 2010 “Photography has given me the opportunity to visit places and meet people. I have learned so many things about the camera. I have learned about myself too. I am shy but beginning to develop confidence.”

14. “I have started making money, thanks to my new photography skills. So far, I have taken photographs at three weddings. I also take photos in a tourist hotel. I have realised I can make a good living out of photography.” Photo by Grace

15. Alem, 26, from Ethiopia was trained in 2005 “I have seen a change in some of my friends since they trained as photographers with PROEXPOSURE. Photography has given us an inner confidence. We are using photography to improve our lives.” Alem (left), 26, from Ethiopia was trained in 2005 “I have seen a change in some of my friends since they trained as photographers with PROEXPOSURE. Photography has given us an inner confidence. We are using photography to improve our lives.”

16. “I want to say to people in England that it’s important to invest in Ethiopia. Come here and visit our country and invest in us. Boost our tourism and buy our photographs!” Photos by Alem. “I want to say to people in England that it’s important to invest in Ethiopia. Come here and visit our country and invest in us. Boost our tourism and buy our photographs!” Photo by Alem

17. Betelhem, 22, fromEthiopiabecame a photographer in 2005 “I was the first person in my village to have a camera. It helped me become someone important and special.”.” Betelhem, 22, fromEthiopiabecame a photographer in 2005 “I was the first person in my village to have a camera. It helped me become someone important and special.”

18. “The training was a big learning curve because I didn’t even know how to press the shutter. I never imagined the skills I learned would set me up with a career: that was beyond my dreams!” “The training was a big learning curve because I didn’t even know how to press the shutter. I never imagined the skills I learned would set me up with a career: that was beyond my dreams!” Photos by Betelhem. Photo by Beti

19. “You are capturing a moment when you take a photograph, that’s why I particularly love it. Photographs give us good memories.” “You are capturing a moment when you take a photograph, that’s what I particularly love it. Photographs give us good memories.” Photo by Beti

20. Follow and support these talented women photographers through our website www.proexposure.co.uk where you can see their photos, buy prints and donate your unwanted digital cameras. Or for more information about PROEXPOSURE contact our friendly team on +44 (0)20 7275 8472 or email proexposure@gmail.com