Arielle T, Blessing, Gabriela, Judith Sephuma,
Selmor Mtukudzi, Vanessa Mdee, Victoria Kimani, Waje and Yemi Alade call for
world leaders to act to act to empower girls and women
Selmor Mtukudzi, Vanessa Mdee, Victoria Kimani, Waje and Yemi Alade call for
world leaders to act to act to empower girls and women
Johannesburg,
South Africa (May 13, 2015) – An
outstanding line-up of top women musicians from across Africa have
joined forces with ONE to create a brand new song called Strong Girl, a rally
cry to empower girls and women everywhere.
South Africa (May 13, 2015) – An
outstanding line-up of top women musicians from across Africa have
joined forces with ONE to create a brand new song called Strong Girl, a rally
cry to empower girls and women everywhere.
Nine
artists from seven African countries came together in South Africa earlier this
month to write and record the track. They were joined by Nollywood superstar
actress and activist Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, who stars in the Strong Girl
video. The women are calling for action because poverty is sexist, and we won’t
end it unless world leaders act now to help girls and women reach their full
potential.
artists from seven African countries came together in South Africa earlier this
month to write and record the track. They were joined by Nollywood superstar
actress and activist Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, who stars in the Strong Girl
video. The women are calling for action because poverty is sexist, and we won’t
end it unless world leaders act now to help girls and women reach their full
potential.
The
artists who recorded the song are Arielle T (Gabon), Gabriela (Mozambique),
Judith Sephuma (South Africa), Selmor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Vanessa Mdee
(Tanzania), Victoria Kimani (Kenya) Waje and Yemi Alade (Nigeria).
artists who recorded the song are Arielle T (Gabon), Gabriela (Mozambique),
Judith Sephuma (South Africa), Selmor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Vanessa Mdee
(Tanzania), Victoria Kimani (Kenya) Waje and Yemi Alade (Nigeria).
The song
was produced by Nigerian producer Cobhams Asuquo, who won critical world
acclaim with his production of Asa’s chart-topping hits, “Jailer” and “Fire on
the Mountain”. The video was directed by Godfather Productions, who has
produced and directed some of Africa’s biggest music videos.
was produced by Nigerian producer Cobhams Asuquo, who won critical world
acclaim with his production of Asa’s chart-topping hits, “Jailer” and “Fire on
the Mountain”. The video was directed by Godfather Productions, who has
produced and directed some of Africa’s biggest music videos.
The track
and video have been released today, Wednesday May 13, along with a global day
of action amplifying the songs message and recruiting thousands of people
worldwide to the fight for justice. On the day of release, ONE members
worldwide will show solidarity by sharing a #strengthie, a selfie that portrays
an image of female empowerment and ‘We Can Do It!’ attitude.
and video have been released today, Wednesday May 13, along with a global day
of action amplifying the songs message and recruiting thousands of people
worldwide to the fight for justice. On the day of release, ONE members
worldwide will show solidarity by sharing a #strengthie, a selfie that portrays
an image of female empowerment and ‘We Can Do It!’ attitude.
Omotola
Jalade Ekeinde said:
Jalade Ekeinde said:
“I am
fortunate to be a young woman living her dreams, a trailblazer of my
generation. But I also recognize that many women and girls are not so
fortunate; women and girls are disproportionately affected by the injustice of
poverty and inequality. But when we invest in women and girls, we increase and
accelerate the chances of overcoming extreme poverty.”
fortunate to be a young woman living her dreams, a trailblazer of my
generation. But I also recognize that many women and girls are not so
fortunate; women and girls are disproportionately affected by the injustice of
poverty and inequality. But when we invest in women and girls, we increase and
accelerate the chances of overcoming extreme poverty.”
Bono,
lead singer of U2 and ONE’s co-founder said:
lead singer of U2 and ONE’s co-founder said:
This
year, new Global Goals to end poverty will be set by world leaders. To be truly
transformative, the goals must focus on the countries and the people that are
worst off, and that includes girls and women. Evidence shows that investing in
girls and women helps their families, communities and whole economies too.
year, new Global Goals to end poverty will be set by world leaders. To be truly
transformative, the goals must focus on the countries and the people that are
worst off, and that includes girls and women. Evidence shows that investing in
girls and women helps their families, communities and whole economies too.
Dr Sipho
Moyo, ONE’s Africa Executive Director said:
Moyo, ONE’s Africa Executive Director said:
“We must
seize this opportunity to refocus the development agenda, and unleash the
human, social, political and economic potential of women everywhere.
Investments in health, education and economic empowerment can help remove the
barriers that prevent so many girls and women from leading healthy and
productive lives. Giving women the power and tools they need to improve their
lives and take hold of equal opportunities means they can become catalysts to
help end poverty.”
seize this opportunity to refocus the development agenda, and unleash the
human, social, political and economic potential of women everywhere.
Investments in health, education and economic empowerment can help remove the
barriers that prevent so many girls and women from leading healthy and
productive lives. Giving women the power and tools they need to improve their
lives and take hold of equal opportunities means they can become catalysts to
help end poverty.”
On
International Women’s Day, ONE published a policy report that revealed the
scale of the gender gap in the world’s poorest countries, and how unlocking the
potential of girls and women could transform lives.
International Women’s Day, ONE published a policy report that revealed the
scale of the gender gap in the world’s poorest countries, and how unlocking the
potential of girls and women could transform lives.
.
ONE’s
call to action is already backed by more 36 of the world’s most powerful women,
including Beyonce, Meryl Streep, Lady Gaga, Angelique Kidjo and other leading
women from the worlds of business, arts, politics and activism. They have
written an open letter to Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and African Union
Commission Chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who both host crucial summits in the
coming months that should set us on a path to agreeing Global Goals that put
women’s empowerment at their heart.
call to action is already backed by more 36 of the world’s most powerful women,
including Beyonce, Meryl Streep, Lady Gaga, Angelique Kidjo and other leading
women from the worlds of business, arts, politics and activism. They have
written an open letter to Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and African Union
Commission Chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who both host crucial summits in the
coming months that should set us on a path to agreeing Global Goals that put
women’s empowerment at their heart.
ONE is a
member of action/2015, a global citizens’ movement calling for pivotal change
in 2015.
member of action/2015, a global citizens’ movement calling for pivotal change
in 2015.
About ONE
ONE is a
campaigning and advocacy organization of more than 6 million people taking
action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.
Not politically partisan, we raise public awareness and press political leaders
to combat AIDS and preventable diseases, increase investments in agriculture
and nutrition, and demand greater transparency in poverty-fighting programs. To
learn more, go to ONE.org.
campaigning and advocacy organization of more than 6 million people taking
action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.
Not politically partisan, we raise public awareness and press political leaders
to combat AIDS and preventable diseases, increase investments in agriculture
and nutrition, and demand greater transparency in poverty-fighting programs. To
learn more, go to ONE.org.
Click below to watch the video for #StrongGirl
Sign
the ‘Poverty is Sexist’ petition: http://www.one.org/sexist
the ‘Poverty is Sexist’ petition: http://www.one.org/sexist
Twitter: @ONEcampaign / @ONEinAfrica
Facebook: ONE