Thousands of young Malagasy girls become mothers before reaching the age of majority, abandoned by the child's father. Many of them become pregnant due to sexual exploitation, or gender-based violence. This phenomenon, aggravated by poverty and lack of education, stems from traditional practices such as “valifofo” (forced child marriage). According to the national statistics institute (INSTAT), 31% of women between the ages of 15 and 19 have already started having children.

In Madagascar, abortion is forbidden by law, forcing many young girls to carry unwanted pregnancies to term, even those resulting from incest or rape. No family allowance has been set up, leaving these young mothers to fend for themselves.

The long-term consequences for them and their unwanted children remain largely overlooked. It is crucial to bring attention to their situation, with the hope that concrete measures will be implemented to support them and encourage behavioral change in a society where women live under traditional male dominance.

These are archive photos I took when I met these girls during my previous missions in the South. At the time, the idea of addressing this issue hadn't fully formed in my mind. It wasn't until 2024 that everything fell into place. I will return there to try to find and reconnect with them. My plan is also to document the other regions of Madagascar.

I will collect testimonies from young mothers, retrace their life, outline the challenges they have to face, while also examining the facts and actions taken by NGOs and activists fighting for women's rights. What is the current state of these efforts today?

Accessing these young mothers can be challenging, but I am relying on fruitful collaborations with specialists and building a climate of trust with the victims.
Travel will involve planes or rental cars, depending on the location. A local fixer will also be essential for facilitating contacts during my travels.

With a strong background in photography, I’ve had the privilege of showcasing my work in international exhibitions, including Kenya in 2013, Paris in 2014, and Arles in 2023. My efforts have been recognized with prestigious honors, such as the first prize in the Photography4Humanity competition organized by the United Nations. These accolades underscore my ability to engage a global audience and leverage photography as a transformative medium for social advocacy.

By documenting the realities of Madagascar through my lens, I strive not only to inform and inspire but also to influence meaningful actions that promote equality and advance the rights of Malagasy women and girls. This project is more than storytelling—it's a call to action for lasting change.

Children Raising Children aims to shed light on girl-mothers who are victims of male oppression and the weight of tradition—a violence that shatters them from within affects their lives. By raising awareness, I hope society will realize that behind these girls are countless children—the future of the country—who may never have the chance for a proper education. It's a vicious circle that sustains poverty and must be broken. It's a fight for girls to have control over their own bodies and the right to choose their destiny - it's the fight of all women.