Amina
Through Her Lens: Amina Mohamed’s Mission to Empower Young Women in Africa
When Amina Mohamed speaks about her journey, you hear not just a story of movement, but one of resilience, purpose, and vision. A Ugandan-born Canadian, Amina is a seasoned photographer, filmmaker, and advocate for gender equality. She is the founder, executive director, and lead photographer of Cameras For Girls, a Canadian registered charity that empowers young women in Africa through photography, storytelling, and skills training.
Her story begins with upheaval: born in England and raised briefly in Uganda, Amina and her family fled the country as refugees when she was just three years old, forced into exile under then-president Idi Amin. They found safety and opportunity in Canada, a contrast that would later shape Amina’s commitment to social justice and equity.
“We’re so interconnected,” she reflects. “The impact of colonial histories and social divides is something I’ve witnessed in both Uganda and the Philippines. It’s why I can’t stand to see voices suppressed, especially women’s voices.”
That passion for amplifying marginalized voices eventually led Amina to channel her 15 years of experience in the Canadian film and television industry into a new purpose. In 2018, she founded Cameras For Girls, a project born from frustration at the barriers faced by young African women who aspire to work in media but lack access to the tools, training, and networks they need to succeed.
For Amina, photography isn’t just an art; it’s a powerful tool for reclaiming narratives, building economic independence, and creating systemic change.
What inspired you to start Cameras For Girls?
For Amina, frustration was a fertile ground for action. The catalyst came when she realized that young women in Uganda trying to become journalists and photographers were systematically shut out: “They can’t get paid, or even work, unless they own a camera and know how to use it. That made me angry.” In 2018, using her own savings, she gathered donated cameras and launched Cameras For Girls, shifting from her initial plans to a more targeted mission: supporting aspiring female journalists and storytellers.
The Organization & Its Impact
What is the core mission of Cameras For Girls, and how do you support young women in Uganda and Tanzania?
The heart of Cameras For Girls is clear: equip young women in Africa with the skills and tools to become working photographers and journalists. It’s about more than cameras; it's about agency, dignity, and economic independence. “We’re not just training technical skills,” Amina explains. “It’s about ethical storytelling. We help them find their voice, tell their stories, and critically get paid work.”
To date, over 129 women in Uganda, 25 in Tanzania, and 10 in South Africa have participated, with even more accessing an online learning hub.
Could you share a success story that really highlights the impact of your work?
Amina’s favourite stories come from graduates who have returned, not only to celebrate their own success but to give back. Four former students now act as paid trainers, leading their own cohorts. One participant, for example, used the skills and confidence she gained to report on important issues in her rural community, helping raise awareness about local problems. “That’s change,” Amina smiles. “It’s the ripple effect.”
How do Canadian volunteers and mentors contribute to the program, and what do they gain from this cross-cultural exchange?
Volunteers and mentors from Canada play a crucial role, offering guidance in everything from photography techniques to portfolio building and even life skills. Their weekly online sessions create a two-way street of learning: “They don’t just teach, they learn,” Amina notes. “They’re exposed to new perspectives, challenged by the strength and creativity of these young women, and ultimately help bridge cultural divides.”
Challenges & Gender Equality
What are some common challenges women face in Africa’s media industry, and how does your organization address them?
Women in Africa’s media spaces face systemic obstacles: lack of access to equipment, patriarchal industry norms, and social expectations that undervalue their ambitions. “The field is male-dominated everywhere,” Amina says. “But not talking about it lets the status quo stay in place.” Cameras For Girls breaks down those barriers by offering equipment, training, and, crucially, community: “We create a tribe, girls who support each other, and who are encouraged to lead, not just follow.”
How do you see the role of photography and storytelling in advancing gender equality?
For Amina, photography is a direct path to agency. “When a rural woman who has faced gender based violence or poverty learns to tell her own story through her lens, the world listens differently. Instead of outsiders framing their lives, these women shape their own narratives. That’s how the world changes.”
Future Vision & Advice
What are your goals for Cameras For Girls in the next few years?
Amina’s ambitions are bold, but focused: expand to Kenya, deepen programs in South Africa, and launch a job creation initiative that pays graduates in U.S. dollars. “Paying in local currency keeps women in poverty. Dollar payments let them save, support their families, and begin to build real futures.”
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter creative fields, especially in male-dominated industries?
“Don’t wait for permission,” she urges. “Just do it. You’ll fail sometimes, fail upwards. And don’t think you have to compete with everyone; if someone is doing something incredible, join them. Collaboration makes us stronger.”
How can people support Cameras For Girls or get involved?
There are many ways. “People can donate, become monthly supporters, volunteer, mentor, or offer specialized skills like fundraising or storytelling.” She stresses that support—big or small—makes a direct impact.
Is there a final message you’d like to share with our readers?
“When you support Cameras For Girls, you’re empowering a young woman in sub-Saharan Africa to tell her own story and to be paid for her voice. Without that, many girls have few choices except early marriage. With it, we open up a world of possibilities.”
Amina Mohamed’s story, and that of the thriving community she’s built, is proof that the world gets brighter when more women are on both sides of the lens.