Surviving and Thriving: moving beyond statistics at the 2YoungLives Photovoice Exhibition
July 6th saw the launch of the Surviving and Thriving: 2YoungLives Photovoice Exhibition in London, marking an important milestone for community-led research into adolescent maternal health, and recognising the 2YoungLives initiative of pairing pregnant adolescents with dedicated community mentors throughout pregnancy and the first year after birth, which nearly halved combined maternal and perinatal deaths.
Stepping beyond statistics in the recently-published NIHR CRIBS funded, Lancet trial (1), and revealing the real human stories behind the remarkable results, the exhibition coincided with the announcement that 2YoungLives was one of three winners of the prestigious Lancet Evidence to Impact Award (2), recognising its outstanding translation of research into real-world impact.
The exhibition, attended by more than 80 researchers, policymakers, healthcare leaders, funders, community representatives and members of the media from around the world, provided a powerful insight into the realities of adolescent pregnancy and motherhood in Sierra Leone, telling not only a story of hardship, but of resilience, and showing what it means for vulnerable young women to move from simply surviving to truly thriving.
Through photographs and personal testimonies, the exhibition showed how 2YoungLives supports pregnant adolescents to navigate some of life’s toughest challenges, using videos of their own stories, our young women spoke of family rejection, social stigma and fear of seeking healthcare, but also of the strength they found through peer support, mentoring and community.
The exhibition explored the impact 2YoungLives of on mentors and wider community attitudes, alongside the inspiring story of Gi4SaveLife (3), a voluntary blood donation initiative that made the difference when one of our girls nearly died from postpartum haemorrhage.
As Mangenda and Lucy, and Dr Cristina Fernandez Turienzo from King’s College London (KCL). always say, this was a celebration and a reminder of the incredible role local communities play in helping young mothers, girls and families survive and thrive, reinforcing that the people who know best how to support them are the communities where they live, love and learn.
Some quotes from attendees:
“The photovoice exhibition was a powerful way of sharing the incredible lived experiences of these girls. It not only helps the world see and understand their realities, but I hope it also becomes a source of healing, strength, and hope for the girls and everyone touched by their stories”, Midwife consultant, Sierra Leone
“Thank you for including me in such a special day! It was a truly wonderful event, fun and informative, extremely moving and uplifting… Everyone was so driven and lit up by what they were doing, a testament to the impact the project is having. It was a beautiful way to showcase the journey of 2YoungLives. The exhibition and visual storytelling were stunning”, Journalist, UK
“I was deeply struck by how the girls’ photovoice stories represented far more than individual experiences… they were a powerful snapshot of the devastating impact that sexual and gender-based violence continues to have on the lives of many girls across Sierra Leone… What inspired me most was seeing how 2YoungLives has gone beyond documenting these experiences. By providing long term mentorship, support, and opportunities for personal growth, it has created a pathway for these young women to rebuild their confidence, reclaim their aspirations, and reintegrate into society.. Their stories reaffirm that survivor-centred, evidence-informed interventions can transform lives and should inform policies that strengthen prevention, protection, and long-term support for girls affected by sexual and gender-based violence”, Policy Maker, Sierra Leone
Footnotes: (1) Lancet, (2) Lancet Evidence to Impact Award, (3) Gi4SaveLife
Some photos from the day…
