Somalia is a deeply religious and patriarchal society where only 19.9% of women aged 15 to 64 are in employment. Photojournalist Maryama Omar Ali, 25, is one of them. 

Working in the nation’s capital of Mogadishu, Ali is often met with disparaging comments from men saying that she shouldn’t be out working, such as “Women should stay at home and look after the kids” and “This isn’t a woman’s job.”

Some even invoke religion to their dismay, saying, “The religion (Islam) objects to [women working]. The man should pay the bills. The man should provide for her. She’s not supposed to work. She’s not designed for that. Their bodies are created to be enjoyed, not for work.”

Ali does not let this deter her from her work, telling BBC Africa Eye, “The reason I love this job is because I believe a woman can do a man’s job.”

Ali has gained experience shooting high-profile people, like Omar Filish (also known as Omar Finnish), who is the Mayor of Mogadishu, Governor of the Banaadir, and was once among Somalia’s most feared warlords.

“The governor was impressed with my work, skills, and personality”, the young journalist states as she recalls how she became Filish’s personal camerawoman.

As a working single mother, Ali believes she’s positively changing attitudes towards women among the men she works with, some of whom include Mayor Filish’s personal security. 

She says, “The bodyguards — my brothers — they are used to my job now, and it’s normal to them. They respect it a lot of the time.”

She continues with, “Everyday I’m with them, I also convince them that a woman can do anything.”