1st place in the 25-35 age category

Women at Work in the Forest - Ndimby Andriantsoavina, Madagascar - All works related to food preparation is dedicated to women. So women have to fetch the wood in the forest to prepare the lunch.

*Watch this video by 1st place winner Ndiby Andriantsoavina speak about his photo submission

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xYq4YKOE6U]

2nd place in the 25-35 category

Rural women, Renewable Energy and ICTs - Herbert Lwanga, Uganda

In a typical Ugandan setting, women play the roles of digging, fetching water, doing household work, cooking, hosting visitors and, above all, bearing children i.e. they are movers of the “caring economy” which however, carries no definite rewards except that they benefit from occasional “thank you” expressions from their husbands, children, visiting neighbours, relatives, and community members. To-date however, these roles are shifting very fast, thanks to the onset of Information Communication Technologies and technology in general. 

As can be attested by the attached photograph, the lady seen operating this solution is rural based and apart from providing an alternative energy source, she generates continuous revenue hence, realizing her entrepreneurial dream; with this revenue she is empowered to pay school fees for her children and, supplementing the food security budget for her household.

She also plays the role of providing the rural farming communities with a constant energy source that enables them to use their phones uninterrupted thus, leading them to access and benefit from information that addresses their personal, farming and community needs. Furthermore, the photograph is a testimony of the combined role of women and youth in developing, producing and applying ICTs for transforming especially rural communities i.e. the LOG`EL Commercial, solar phone-charger is produced and disseminated by the  LOG`EL team (mainly comprising the youth) and it is being commercially utilized by a female operator.

This technology solution has the potential for replication in other countries for, apart from being an alternative source of affordable energy, it has viable prospects for reducing poverty, managing climate change, reducing environmental degradation and uplifting the convenience for humanity in general. Inquiries for collaboration are welcome.

3rd place in the 25-35 age category

And Still Hope by Anab Garab Somali/America

I took this photo of a young girl named Ikraam on September 12th, 2011, in the Gedo region of Somalia.I went with Markabley Relief and Development Trust a group distributing food as emergency relief to parts of the region. Ikraam is looked after by her aunt who does her best to care for young Ikraam. She was very interested in learning English so I taught her a few words while I was there. I visited the local school and spoke with teachers and Ikraams aunt who informed me that although they are quite happy to have a school in the area unfortunately it is only open for 2 hours a day. A school teacher said they teach seven subjects at the school English being one of them. But two hours a day isn't enough.