#UnlockThePowerOfGirls: Portraits and Perspectives

Gender stereotypes exist in every culture — present, but expressed differently. Plan International works to unlock the future of every child, with a particular focus on girls, through its campaign #UnlockThePowerOfGirls.

To highlight gender issues in communities where Plan is active, we undertook a project in four countries: Benin, Ecuador, Cambodia, and Belgium. In each, local young reporters conducted interviews with their peers using open questions on gender equality: “Are you happy to be a boy or a girl? Why? How would you like things to be different? What is difficult as a boy or girl in your community?” The goal was not to gather “correct” answers, but to capture a snapshot of reality in each context.

Working alongside young reporters was invaluable. My role was to support them during the interviews and to photograph each young girl and boy we met.

In these portraits, I sought to reflect the gender realities of their communities, while also capturing individuality and personality. I aimed for their strength and fears to be visible, layered subtly in each image. As most participants were teenagers, the portraits also convey the fragility of adolescence — a moment when possibilities are endless but doubts begin to appear, gradually giving way to self-confidence.

The photographs and interviews form the core of an exhibition produced by Plan International Belgium, presented in French and Dutch and touring various locations in Belgium over two years.

Through these images and testimonies, the project invites visitors to reflect on gender equality and the persistent challenges faced by children and teenagers around the world.