Empowering Women through Visual Storytelling

Background

At a young age, Sheila was living in the Wakiso district of Uganda, unable to afford school, dependent on her boyfriend, and uncertain of her future. Thirty minutes away, in a Kampala city suburb, Mariam, an orphan at just 14, had grown accustomed to fending for herself. Like so many young women in her situation, she depended on men for financial support.

HIV remains a public health crisis in Uganda. Adolescent girls and young women – just like Sheila and Mariam – are at increased risk of HIV infection. According to the Uganda Violence Against Children and Youth Survey, among 18-24-year-old women who had sex before 18, those who engaged in transactional sex had nearly six times higher odds of having multiple sexual partners in the past year, over five times higher odds of infrequent condom use, and over three times more likely to justifying spousal abuse when compared to young women who never engaged in sex work. Poverty, lack of access to education and employment, and harmful gender norms force many to turn to transactional sex to meet their basic needs – increasing their potential risk for HIV.

Through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEFPAR), CDC supports the implementation of the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) program in 13 countries, including Uganda. DREAMS provides adolescent girls and young women with multiple interventions, including reproductive health education, HIV testing, economic strengthening, and education opportunities – all with the aim of helping girls stay HIV-free. Through a multi-pronged approach, DREAMS also engages partners, families, and communities to promote healthy gender norms, reduce HIV-related stigma, and increase demand for HIV prevention services.

Shaping Uganda's future through the lens

In Uganda, one of the ways DREAMS provides economic strengthening is through a photography and videography training course. Participants learn how to operate and care for equipment and capture impactful images that tell a story. They also learn how to edit images and footage, develop ideas, and write scripts. Mentorship and coaching foster creative talents, while fieldwork offers real-world exposure that allows participants to bring their unique perspectives to life.

Participants are equipped with business training to effectively manage their photography ventures, from pricing and invoicing to marketing their work. As the young entrepreneurs grow their businesses, the training company lends equipment and shares companies to rent equipment for the future.

Those participating in the training program emerge as confident, skilled photographers and videographers, ready to make their mark in visual storytelling. Below, Sheila and Mariam share the impact of the program in their own words.

Sheila's story

My name is Sheila, and I am 22 years old. I dropped out of school after my senior six education because my parents couldn't afford to keep me in school. Before joining DREAMS, I depended on my boyfriend to support me financially since I had no job. DREAMS taught me about testing for HIV regularly, contraceptives, condom use, and the dangers of engaging in unprotected sex. When I found out I was HIV-negative, I decided to change my behaviors to keep myself healthy.

In the DREAMS program, I was enrolled in the videography and photography course. I was certified after six months, and my lifelong dream of working with influential actors became a reality. I secured a position at VCL Studios, Uganda's oldest and most esteemed studio. I am currently working as the senior editor of the OMG (Oh my God) program aired on the local Luganda television. I no longer have to stay in a relationship for financial support because I am financially empowered.

I am very grateful to the DREAMS partnership, Infectious Disease Institute, CDC, and PEPFAR for supporting me to live my dream.

Mariam's story

I am Mariam, and I am 23 years old. I became an orphan early in my life. I lost my father at 14 years and my mother at three years. Before joining the DREAMS program, I lived quite a chaotic life. To survive and fend for myself, I had to have many boyfriends that used to give me money.

I joined DREAMS in 2022, and after joining, my life took a 180-degree turn from a bad omen to a blessing. While on the project, I received many services, which included HIV prevention education, financial literacy, and HIV testing. I never knew I was at risk of acquiring HIV.

I was empowered economically and received apprenticeship training in photography, videography, and editing from the Riviera Media Company. As a result, I was hired to cover weddings and birthdays. The money I received helped me to stop depending on men for money.

By the end of the course, I was one of the best students in my class. I was hired as a full-time videography trainer for the DREAMS program. I am also working to buy my own videography equipment.

Training fellow DREAMS participants has been one of the best moments in my life. I have gained experience and created friendships and social networks with the participants. All thanks to the DREAMS program.

Rewriting the narrative

Sheila and Miriam are two of the 220 adolescent girls and young women who have completed the six-month photography course and found gig work and employment in photography and videography. Mariam is paying it forward by providing course instruction to the next generation of girls.

"Sheila and Mariam have been enabled to rewrite the narrative," shares Goretti Nakabugo, DREAMS team lead at Infectious Disease Institute, a CDC implementing partner. "Their journeys are a powerful source of inspiration for our adolescent girls and young women trainees, showcasing the incredible opportunities and success that can be achieved through this program. Mariam and Sheila exemplify the potential for growth and empowerment within the community."