Through their eyes: a Photovoice study of environmental stressors and mental health among young women in Kampala’s urban slums

Environmental stressors such as poor sanitation and overcrowding affect the mental health of women living in urban slums, yet their lived experiences remain understudied. Photovoice was selected to engage participants as co-researchers to document and discuss how their environments influence their daily lives and mental health. In 2022, 15 women aged 18–24 from three Kampala slums participated in a 5-week Photovoice project involving training, photography, small group discussions, and a final thematic validation session. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) Entrepreneurship and Trade, which provided income, agency, and coping mechanisms against poverty; (2) Health, Wellness, Education, and Security, emphasizing the role of access to clinics, schools, and places of worship as protective and restorative influences on mental health; and (3) Urban Infrastructure, highlighting inadequate sanitation, drainage, and water systems as major sources of stress and vulnerability. The Photovoice process amplified participants’ voices, revealing how they interpret and respond to the physical and social environments that define their well-being. These insights can guide contextually grounded interventions and policies aimed at improving mental health, resilience, and living conditions among women in urban poverty.