By Ephraim Oseji

In a bold step towards advancing economic inclusion and empowering young women, Care For Her Initiative successfully concluded a 5-day cinematography bootcamp under its Project Empowerment 2.0 initiative.

The training brought together a cohort of young women who participated in intensive sessions designed to equip them with practical, in-demand skills in cinematography, positioning them for opportunities within the creative industry.

Speaking on the initiative, Oyinkansola Gbolagunte, Founder and Executive Director of Care For Her Initiative, reiterated the organization’s mission:

“Care For Her is focused on closing gender gaps by improving the health and education of women and girls through economic empowerment. Through Project Empower, we equip women with practical skills that create pathways to earning an income, enabling them to access quality healthcare, education, and better life outcomes.”

Throughout the bootcamp, participants engaged in hands-on cinematography practicals, production classes, and collaborative group sessions, gaining both technical knowledge and real-world experience. 

The sessions were led by industry professionals including Jumoke Azeez of Since1982 Films, Ahmed Usman, Joshie Media Filmworks, and Damilola Ayorinde.

Highlighting the next phase of the program, Gbolagunte added: “As we move forward, we are entering a sustainability stage. Our goal is to ensure that this knowledge does not end here. We are creating pathways for continued learning through hands-on industry exposure, and we are excited to have mentors guiding these young women so that what they have learned becomes practical and lasting.

Because for us, this is not just about training it’s about building pathways for sustainable careers and long-term economic empowerment.”

Also speaking, Bamidele Oyewumi, Co-Founder of Care For Her Initiative, emphasized the importance of long-term impact:

“This bootcamp is not just about training it’s about transformation. We are focused on building structures that support these young women beyond this program, ensuring they are equipped to grow, earn, and thrive in the creative industry.”

In her remarks, Morenike Van Jaarsveld, Board Member Care For Her Initiative, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative:

“Empowering young women with relevant, practical skills is essential in shaping not just their individual futures, but the future of our communities. When women are given access to opportunities like this, it creates a ripple effect—impacting their economic stability, their ability to make informed life decisions, and their overall well-being. Initiatives like this are critical in driving inclusion and building a more sustainable and equitable society.”

The keynote address was delivered by Rhoda Robinson, Executive Director of HACEY, who spoke on promoting economic inclusion as a pathway to sustaining the health of women and girls.

A panel session was also held to explore sustainable career pathways for the participants. Panelists included Winnifred Wessels, Head of Marketing at Filmhouse Cinemas; Mohammed Attah, award-winning filmmaker and cinematographer with Since1982 Films; and Adeola Osunkojo, film and television director and producer. The session was moderated by Jumoke Azeez, film producer.

The success of the program was made possible through the support of key partners and sponsors, including Filmhouse Group, Since1982 Films, Nexthought Media, African Girls Guide, and HACEY, whose contributions played a vital role in the execution of the bootcamp.

As the program transitions into its next phase, Care For Her Initiative remains committed to expanding its impact, ensuring that more young women are equipped with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to build sustainable futures and improve their quality of life.