Magnum has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund on its #8BillionStrong campaign, marking a new milestone in the world’s population by collaborating on a series of photo stories. The UNFPA is a United Nations agency aimed at improving reproductive and maternal health worldwide. It commissioned eight Magnum photographers to produce a story from eight different global locations to “introduce you to people who are creating a ripple effect to make the world better”, focusing on eight trends for a world of 8 billion people.

Among them, Cristina de Middel shot a story on ‘Granfluencers‘ in Japan; Myriam Boulos documented the work of Cairo-based media platform Motherbeing, which provides sex education and information on reproductive health; and an Enri Canaj story, ‘Contributing to host-country economies,’ which documents Ukrainian refugees working in Poland and Germany.

Myriam Boulos focused the issue of sex education in Cairo and photographed the founders of Motherbeing, a media platform addressing sex education and reproductive health using music, video and creativity to reach millions of Egyptians women.

Nanna Heitmann documented the daily life of Divya Chaudhry, a 16-year-old resident of rural Tikuri district in Madhya Pradesh, India’s fifth most populous state and her commitments towards youth education in her region.

Cristina de Middel portrayed UNFPA’s actions in Japan where they advocate for elderly people engaging in vital community activities and getting the support they need as they age.

Lindokuhle Sobekwa documented the Young Mum’s Clinic in Nigeria which provides holistic support to young pregnant women in one of the world’s fastest-growing countries.

Newsha Tavakolian focused on the challenges faced by the thousands Venezuelian women who crossed the border into Brazil and spend months in camp, waiting to be relocated to different regions of the country. Her story illustrates UNFPA’s actions in Brazil ensuring educational and economic opportunities for women.

Sabiha Cimen focused on the specialized midwives in Tanzania providing family planning services, accurate and accessible information on sexual and reproductive health and rights as well as quality maternal health care amid challenges in access to care and resources.

Enri Canaj documented the issue of labour shortages as population slows across Europe focusing on the way Poland and Germany have offered opportunities to refugees to access employment and how removing the often significant barriers to their participation in the workforce can help societies thrive amidst demographic changes.

Jerome Sessini travelled to Serbia to document how people are migrating from cities back to rural areas, where despite earning less money they benefit from a higher quality of life.