An Afghan Woman Dreams of Becoming a Photojournalist in Bangladesh

• Prize
  Shortlist
• Photographer
  Joseph Voigts, United States
• Date of Photograph
  October 2, 2023
• Category
  Asia
• Website
  https://www.joevoigts.com/photographer
• Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/joe.voigts/

Samira Habibi, a 19-year-old former student of Asian University for Women in Chittagong, Bangladesh dreams of being a photojournalist. When she had to quit her studies and return to Afghanistan, she asked me to take her on a photo walk and teach her. My local student Samiha guided us. After I emphasized empathy, ensuring we shook hands with our subjects, Samira taught Samiha. These images represent an Afghan, a Bangladeshi, and an American’s shared perspective on women striving for opportunity in the developing world. I hope our entry opens doors for Samira to achieve her dream.

Photographing the 80 countries I have visited has helped me instill empathy as a university English teacher in places like Bangladesh, South Korea, Israel, the U.S., Spain, and Morocco. Currently, I teach at a university in China, where I share the portraits and stories of the incredible people and places I have encountered around the world who have changed my life.