African Female musicians release a song called Strong Girl
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Tags: African, Arielle T, Blessing, Gabon, Gabriela, Judith Sephuma, Kenya, Mozambique, nigeria, nollywood, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Selmor Mtukudzi, South, south africa, Strong Girl, Tanzania, Vanessa Mdee, Victoria Kimani, Waje, Yemi Alade, Zimbabwe
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Nine female musicians from seven African countries have come together on a new song calling for women and girls to be central to the fight against poverty.
In a shift from previous anti-poverty music campaigns that have been criticised for ignoring African musicians and misrepresenting the continent, the video from the One campaign features an all-African-cast of some of the continent’s brightest stars. The song, called Strong Girl, features Victoria Kimani, from Kenya, Vanessa Mdee, from Tanzania, Arielle T, from Gabon, Gabriela, from Mozambique, Judith Sephuma, from South Africa, Waje, from Nigeria, Selmor Mtukudzi, from Zimbabwe, Yemi Alade, from Nigeria and 14-year-old South African rapper called Blessing.
The song is part of One’s poverty is sexist campaign, which calls for targeted investments to overcome the barriers that disproportionately affect women, not least in education and health.
“In the townships of South Africa it’s hard for girls. There is poverty, abuse, and it’s difficult for girls to stand up for themselves,” said Blessing, from Johannesburg.
“I know first-hand that poverty is sexist, and that our leaders have to do more to support girls and women. Because when they are allowed to reach their full potential, girls and women lift their families, communities and even whole countries out of poverty faster.
“When a girl stands up for herself, she is standing up for every single girl and woman. That’s what being strong is. But you need to know other people are there to back you up – girls, women, boys and men.”
The Nigerian Nollywood actor Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, who appears in the Strong Girl video, said: “I am fortunate to be a young woman living her dreams, a trailblazer of my generation, but I also recognise 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.”
The One Africa executive director Sipho Moyo said that as world leaders prepare to finalise the sustainable development goals in September, now was the time to call for a greater focus on women and girls.
“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.”
The advocacy group is asking people on social media to get involved in their campaign by posting photos of themselves paying homage to Rosie the Riveter, the bicep-flexing woman depicted on a famous US war propaganda poster, using the hashtag #strengthie.
Celebrities and campaigners have shown their support, including the education campaigner Malala Yousafzai.
I like the song it sounds great….