By Sandy Garçon, PSI
For more than a decade, award-winning photographer Mark Tuschman has documented the barriers preventing girls and women from achieving their full potential. Tuschman’s latest book, Faces of Courage: Intimate Portraits of Women on the Edge, is a collection of gripping portraits, spanning 15 years and 17 countries, of girls and women who’ve endured unfathomable struggles. From adolescent pregnancies to gender-based violence to lack of access to the most basic education and healthcare, for millions in developing countries “being born female” is a great disadvantage. Tuschman’s photos tell the story of resilience in the face of hardship and are a testament to the impact that grassroots organizations have in helping women gain access, education and opportunity.
Maasai Girls
in Kenya Two young Maasai girls, Linet Sision and Sharon Nabulu, doing homework outside in their village.
Teenage Pregnancy
In a clinic outside of Dacca, Bangladesh, a nurse attends a teen mother’s infant. Pictured in the background is the 15-year-old mother of the baby.
Microfinance
Evelyn Quarty, who is employed as a baker, became ill four years ago. As a result of her illness, she was told by her doctor that she should no longer bake. Evelyn isn’t the type of person to sit idly at home, so unable to bake she instead began selling flour. In the beginning, she could sell only enough flour in a day to fill an empty can of tomato paste. With the help of loans from WomensTrust, Evelyn is now the main distributor of flour for Pokuase, Ghana. The income she earns from her investment enables Evelyn to support her entire household.
To see more of Tuschman’s photos and learn about the women he photographed, follow @marktuschman during the Women Deliver Conference or go to tuschmanphoto.com.
—
Photo Credit(s): Mark Tushman
