Women’s month reminds us that 55 million girls in Africa, of the global 130 million count are out of school. The continent and indeed South Africa cannot continue to ignore the plight of young girls in the broader gender contest. The realisation that the employment of well-educated individuals is vital to business success. Education is equally important for the long-term economic growth prospects of South Africa.
We know that the fight against extreme poverty is tied to the fight for gender equality and empowerment especially in Africa. Women are worse affected by poverty globally and they suffer more from the effects of extreme poverty. This situation needs to change— and not only because it is a source of endemic, global injustice but put simply, poverty is sexist.
Follow below for all ONE’s South Africa Women’s Day activities. ONE is partnering with Investec, a leading an international specialist banking and asset management group, on our #GirlsCount campaign seeking to deliver the longest video in history by physically counting every one of the 130 million girls that are out of school worldwide. We also join ONE’s South Africa Strong Girl, Mpho MacChambers on her work with young school girls in a rural setting in South Africa’s Limpopo province.