In West and Central Africa, conversations around sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are often silenced by deep-rooted cultural taboos.

Yet the challenges are urgent—early and unintended pregnancies, child marriage, HIV prevention, gender-based violence, and school dropout rates disproportionately affect youth, especially girls.

UNESCO wanted to change the narrative. And we were honored to help bring that vision to life.

Together, we launched Youth Stories (Voix des Jeunes), a campaign designed to amplify youth voices, break harmful silences, and advocate for stronger SRHR education. It wasn’t just a message. It was a movement led by young people themselves.

Video: Ten Voices, One Message

We produced ten emotionally powerful testimonial videos, each featuring a young person openly sharing their lived experience with SRHR. These stories were captured in both French and English, carefully edited into impactful five-minute films recorded from two camera angles to preserve the depth and nuance of each voice.

To give young people the space to speak freely, we knew the environment had to be just right—safe, respectful, and empowering. We created a visually neutral “safe space,” inspired by the aesthetic of music videos, where each participant could feel seen, heard, and celebrated. 

The minimalist studio setting, paired with clean styling, soft lighting, and thoughtful make-up, stripped away any markers of social or economic background. 

This intentional design removed distractions, hierarchies, and assumptions—allowing each story to unfold with honesty and vulnerability. It wasn’t just about filming someone on camera; it was about building trust, elevating their presence, and making space for raw, unfiltered stories that could spark real change.

We created a ‘safe space’ for recordings and to showcase the young people as ‘stars’ inspired by music videos. Recorded in a studio setting, with neat styling and make-up, no reference could be made to the social and economic background of these young people. this way, the story remains genuine without any association.

Beyond Borders Media travelled to three countries with small crews to capture engaging short personal stories in a safe environment.

BBM recorded 10 interviews, in French and English, with young people that openly shared their stories. All films are edited to 5-minute versions recorded from 2 camera positions.

A local female stylist and a make-up artist were present to support and transform these young people into real stars. They made them feel proud. For each interview, plenty of time was scheduled as these were intense and emotional recordings for these young people.

Photography and Design: Visual Voices of Youth Advocacy

Alongside the video production, we developed a rich visual layer through still photography and thoughtful design. In the studio, we captured striking portrait photographs of each participant—images that reflect not only their presence, but their pride, courage, and individuality.

These portraits were not just complementary visuals; they were powerful statements in their own right, helping to humanize and elevate each story.

To extend the campaign’s reach across digital and physical spaces, we created a full design suite: six written interview features, six custom banners for online advocacy, and a set of ten posters using the studio portraits. These materials added depth to the narrative and gave partners flexible tools for education, promotion, and community engagement.

The result was a cohesive visual identity that gave every young voice a strong and dignified presence—on screen, in print, and across platforms.

Launch and Legacy: From Engagement to Regional Action

To maximize impact, we created platform-optimized videos for Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, supported by a clean, youth-centered visual identity. The stories were amplified by influencers, youth networks, and regional partners—building organic momentum across West and Central Africa.

But Youth Stories was never meant to be a one-off. The videos were integrated into the Hello Ado app and shared with organizations across East and Southern Africa to inspire similar advocacy efforts. This ensured the campaign continued to inform, engage, and empower beyond its initial release.

The response was powerful: over six million youth reached and more than nine million video views. More importantly, the stories sparked real conversation—young people weren’t just watching; they were sharing, engaging, and leading.

This wave of youth-driven advocacy contributed to a major milestone. On April 6, 2023, 25 countries endorsed the WCA Commitment—a bold pledge to ensure young people in the region are healthy, educated, and empowered. Youth Stories helped turn personal testimony into collective action.

More Than a Campaign: A Catalyst for Ongoing Advocacy

We built this campaign to last beyond a launch date. Today, the stories continue to circulate through social media, community screenings, and educational programs. The content has been shared with regional partners across East and Southern Africa, providing a model for youth-led storytelling in other contexts.