Self-defense in Katanga

• Prize
  Bronze in Editorial/Environmental
• Photographer
  John T. Pedersen
• Agency / Studio
  Freelance
• Technical Info
  Leica Q2 28 Mm 1/250 Sec F4.0 Iso 1600
• Photo Date
  02.06.2023

Katanga slum in Kampala, Uganda, grapples with pervasive challenges related to crime and violence. As one of the city's largest slums, Katanga is marked by overcrowded living conditions and extreme poverty. The training facility of the Katanga Boxing and Taekwon-Do Club serves as a space where those interested can learn self-defense. Women, in particular, are active in the club, aiming to acquire self-defense skills to resist the violence and threats they often face in the slum. Given their vulnerability, self-defense can empower women and potentially save them from threats.

John T. Pedersen (1966) is an independent photojournalist based in Norway, with a particular focus on humanitarian issues. I have worked for a number of newspapers, trade press, magazines and agencies. Affiliated with the national newspaper Dagbladet in Oslo. https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo/2019/37713/1/John-T-Pedersen