Eight African women address world leaders

In July 2005, eight very powerful men representing the major industrialised nations of the world – the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and Russia – will meet near Edinburgh where Tony Blair will host the G8 summit. The decisions made during this meeting will have huge implications for millions of people living in poverty in Africa.

ActionAid is putting pressure on these leaders to listen to the voices of African people. Photographer Gideon Mendel worked with ActionAid to produce far reaching portraits of eight African women (A8). All are profoundly affected by issues the G8 has it within its power to control.

"I would like all my pupils to be successful in the future. Poverty is the itch on our people’s backs. So when world leaders meet, let them look into solving that problem of poverty, and the gap between rich and poor," Annet Akugizibwe, Head teacher, Uganda

ActionAid campaigners will carried photographic banners of the A8 in the streets of Edinburgh, bringing their voices to the attention of the G8.

From small-scale farmers toiling to support their families, to midwives, teachers and householders – their needs are simple, their rights are clear. These women make the case for trade justice, improved aid, action on AIDS and debt cancellation more powerfully than a million slogans.

photo : ©Gideon Mendel/ Corbis/ ActionAid