VIDEO: Artists release a song against poverty
JOBURG – Women are showing solidarity by sharing a #strengthie – a selfie that pays homage to the iconic ‘Rosie the Riveter’ image of female empowerment and ‘We Can Do It!’ attitude.
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.
Arielle T, Blessing, Gabriela, Judith Sephuma, Selmor Mtukudzi, Vanessa Mdee, Victoria Kimani, Waje and Yemi Alade call for world leaders to act to empower girls and women. They were backed by Malala Yousafzai, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Danai Gurira, Arianna Huffington, Shonda Rhimes as well as thousands of ONE members worldwide.
ONE is a member of action/2015, a global citizens’ movement calling for pivotal change in 2015.
“I am fortunate to be a young woman living her dreams, a trailblazer of my generation,” said Omotola Jalade Ekeinde.
“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 “A band of phenomenal African women have taken control of the mic to tell the world that poverty is sexist. For too long, the voices of African girls and women have been silenced. But there’s no muffling this track.
It‘s a thrill to witness this evolution but also to cheer on these great artists as they take centre stage with a call to action the whole world needs to hear. We will never achieve that great global goal of ending extreme poverty if we don’t admit it – poverty is sexist – and demand policies which deliver equality”.
Danai Gurira, activist, award winning playwright and lead actress from ‘The Walking Dead’ is backing the campaign by sharing a ‘strengthie.’
“Girls and women in the poorest countries get a raw deal. It’s time for the world to stand alongside them and demand better. We must give every girl a chance to go to school and to live a healthy life. And let’s knock down the barriers that prevent so many women from reaching their economic potential,” she said.
