Margot Sharman, Women of India (Documentary/Photojournalism)

On a recent trip journeying through both cities and rural areas of Northern India, it became a major part of my photography to take photos of the women who were engaged in the daily activities that were necessary for them to maintain their family and home. My interest was not to draw any comparisons to inequality between the sexes or to look into the cultural references for the purpose of the activities, more accurately for me to admire the women and their discipline and desire, like the majority of us, to do the best for our families. The tasks involved were an eye opener for me, where we in the Western world sometimes complain about the most mundane of our tasks. Within the rural areas due to the lack of amenities such as power and water, women were making cow-dung patties – used for cooking fuel, collecting firewood and the washing of the family clothes in the local waterways. In the cities selling items on the streets or volunteering to feed the less fortunate, while also being responsible for the total care of the children. All whilst wearing the traditional dress in the most wonderful of colours and fabrics and in most instances with smiles on their faces.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.