This story of women’s empowerment over four decades in West Africa is comprised of photos taken by Dr. Brenda Gael McSweeney during her seven years managing United Nations programs in Burkina Faso, and over the following three decades. The focus is on female education and community livelihoods, beginning with dramatic portrayals of the phenomenal workloads of women and girls. The story progresses to show the immense impact of the introduction of workload lightening technologies that freed up time and energy for income-generating activities and education. Women are depicted overcoming stereotypical roles, breaking barriers in the world of work and politics. The story is based of action research spanning four decades by Brenda and by Scholastique Kompaoré, a pioneer of female education and empowerment in Burkina and across Africa. The mosaic that emerges depicts a positive, hopeful road ahead for women’s rights and people’s empowerment.
Brenda Gael McSweeney began her photography in West Africa in the 70s. She was excited to be selected as the official photographer for the United Nations Secretary General’s drought emergency mission to Burkina Faso. She managed development projects of the UN Development Programme, and oversaw and researched with Scholastique Kompaoré the Government/UNESCO/UNDP Women’s Education Project. Brenda is now Curator of the “Women’s Causes around the World, Year Round” permanent photo exhibition at the Women’s Studies Research Center, Brandeis University. Her work on Women of Vision has been selected by UNESCO Paris for their cultural project: “Women Figures in African History: an e-learning tool” for African youth. Her Burkina photo essay with Scholastique and Cassandra Fox was just published in an e-book called Gender Perspectives in Case Studies across Continents. She co-coordinates from Boston University the UNESCO/UNITWIN on Gender, Culture & Development.
Top Photo: Brenda Gael McSweeney, A woman Fetching Swamp Water — all that was available in remote areas in the 1970s (1974) Film photograph 8 x 10 in., private collection. Middle Photo: Brenda Gael McSweeney, Numeracy for village women (1970s) Film photograph 8 x 10 in., private collection.Bottom Photo: Brenda Gael McSweeney, Village Leader in the 1970s — Film photograph
8 x 10 in., private collection
8 x 10 in., private collection