Storytelling can do more than entertain; it can disrupt harmful norms, elevate underrepresented voices, and inspire lasting change. Actor, producer, and philanthropist Oliver Trevena has built much of his career on that belief. “I hope to produce content to unmute the voices of girls and young women in India who were forced into marriage too young,” he told Jejune Magazine. It’s a mission that aligns with his long-time advocacy, including work with the Not For Sale Campaign, which provides resources to end human slavery and trafficking.
That mission is at the heart of UNMUTED, the powerful docuseries from Without Exception Films. The series travels across the globe to spotlight the voices of women and girls who have survived gender-based violence, alongside the grassroots advocates working tirelessly to end it.
Para Charlotte Lubert, founder of Without Exception Films and executive producer of UNMUTED, the project is about breaking through silence:
“Too often, the stories of survivors – especially in marginalized communities – are left untold, or told without their agency. UNMUTED is about restoring that agency. It’s about survivors leading the narrative.”
Importantly, UNMUTED shares common ground with the mission of Equimundo, promoting gender equality by engaging men and boys as allies in ending violence. This connection highlights a critical truth: ending violence requires the transformation of harmful norms across all genders, something both Oliver and Charlotte personally believe in and have dedicated their work to advancing.
Charlotte and Oliver joined Equimundo’s senior fellow and child marriage expert, Margaret Greene, to host a screening of the Child Brides episode. Margaret then moderated a discussion with Charlotte and Oliver about their motivation and inspiration for producing the series and what they hope the audience will take with them.
Oliver Trevena (at left) and Gil Marsden, Director, Child Brides, Unmuted
Separately, Charlotte interviewed Oliver for Equimundo to delve into his passion for this particular cause. An excerpt from that Q&A is below:
Charlotte: Oliver, you’ve had such a varied career, acting, producing, building companies, and you’ve been involved in philanthropy for years. What drew you specifically to UNMUTED?
Oliver: For me, it was the stories. When you told me about UNMUTED, I saw right away that this wasn’t just another project; it was a platform for voices that don’t often get heard. The India episode, for example, focuses on girls’ education and the fight against forced child marriage. That hit me hard because I’ve seen firsthand how education can completely change someone’s trajectory.
I’d been involved in similar advocacy before, so this felt like a continuation of work I care deeply about. But what sold me was the way you and the team approached it, with respect and care for the survivors’ voices and a commitment to change, not just awareness.
Charlotte: Em UNMUTED, we also wanted to highlight the positive roles men can and do play, not as bystanders, but as active participants in ending gender-based violence. That’s something Equimundo emphasizes: engaging men and boys as part of the solution. What’s your perspective on that?
Oliver: I think it’s essential. Gender-based violence isn’t just a “girls and women’s issue.” Men are often the perpetrators, yes, but that means we have an even bigger responsibility to step up, challenge harmful behaviors, and support change in our communities. I’ve worked with organizations that focus on helping men rethink what masculinity means, teaching empathy, respect, and equality from a young age.
With UNMUTED, we can show audiences that boys and men can be allies, advocates, and partners in this fight. It’s not about speaking over survivors; it’s about listening, learning, and using whatever platform we have to amplify their voices.
Charlotte: In our conversations, you’ve mentioned that part of your drive comes from the idea that storytelling can spark action. Can you share more about that?
Oliver: I’ve always believed that if you can make someone feel something, you can make them fazer something. It’s one thing to read statistics about gender-based violence; it’s another to hear a survivor tell you what happened to them and what they’re doing now to reclaim their life. That connection, human to human, is what gets people to volunteer, donate, call their representatives, or even rethink their behavior.
That’s why projects like UNMUTED are so important. They make the issue impossible to ignore.
Charlotte: For readers who are learning about UNMUTED for the first time, what’s the one thing you’d want them to take away?
Oliver: I’d say this: Gender-based violence is not inevitable, and everyone has a role in ending it. Whether you’re a man, woman, or nonbinary person, whether you’ve experienced violence or not, you can be part of the solution. Watch the series, share it, talk about it, and support the organizations on the ground. Silence helps no one.
Charlotte: Thank you, Oliver. And thank you for using your platform to help tell these stories.
Join the Fight
Through UNMUTED, Charlotte, Oliver, and their partners are aiming to redefine how the world talks about gender-based violence. They’re turning stories of pain into calls to action, empowering survivors, and engaging allies of every gender to be part of the solution.
As Equimundo’s research shows, real change starts with reshaping cultural norms, promoting equity, and making allyship the norm – not the exception. UNMUTED offers a powerful starting point.
Join us by:
Português do Brasil 
English 
Français 
Español de México