I met this young woman at a temple in Yangon, Burma. She had the most wonderfully long hair, beautifully round painted Burmese face and was incredibly sweet. Her old granny was selling gold leaf and she helped me apply it to the Buddha and make a prayer for health

Photographer: Bethany Davies | Website: flashpackerfamily.com

I met these two women in Panauti, Nepal. I feel like their personalities shined through with this capture. I love the intent stare from the lady in white and I couldn't have asked for a better expression from the woman in red.

Photographer: Christy Woodrow | Website: ordinarytraveler.com

One morning in Alleppey, a rural settlement in Kerala, India, I came across a group of women sitting in a circle, working. With the appearance of my camera, they all started giggling and joking around. It was a great lesson for me: even in the most challenging of circumstances, remember to play. Remember to laugh. I was left the richer for it.

Photographer: Doug O'Neill | Website: www.CanadianLiving.com/life/travel/

We crossed into Nicaragua and climbed aboard a dilapidated old school bus. It was packed full of people, luggage, produce and animals. As we arranged our packs I caught sight of this little girl; she had hidden herself behind the seat in front and was watching us with interest.

Photographer: Charli Moore | Website: wanderlusters.co.uk

At 92, Anastasi Jorghi still tends her olive trees in Elbasan, Albania, pausing only to greet a stranger stopping by. "My back hurts and I'm getting old," she says. Yet she still works every day.

Photographer: Anne Sterck | Website: blog.women-on-the-road.com/the-many-faces-of-albanian-women/

This photo was taken at the Mohamed Ali mosque in Cairo. I noticed these two young ladies taking our picture and turned the camera on them.

Photographer: Chris Christensen | Website: www.amateurtraveler.com

One late afternoon in Mumbai, I decided to walk the entire length of Marine Drive, from Nariman Point to Chowpatty Beach. Along the way, I saw this trio of females, dressed in finery, out together to enjoy the sea breeze.

Photographer: Mariellen Ward | Website: BreatheDreamGo.com