If you’re reading this the simple fact is you’re not normal. Don’t get me wrong, you’re great – you’re likely conscious, connected and you obviously give a damn about our future and doing something about it. The problem is you’re rare – way too rare – and we need many more of you on side if we’re going to win the fight against extreme poverty and sexism.
But, finding people like you sadly isn’t as easy as you’d think.
Today over 130 million girls won’t go to school; 33,000 girls will become child brides; nearly 1,000 young women will be infected with HIV. That makes me sick and I imagine leaves you outraged. But let’s be honest, these numbers have been out there a while, and this blog is unlikely to go viral. That’s because big numbers just aren’t very human, they’re not relatable and worse still, in the era of fake news, can be viewed with skepticism.
That’s why today – International Day of the Girl – ONE is releasing a film that we hope will shock people out of their slumber and turn outrage into action. We take the age-old question – ‘What will you be when you grow up?’ and turn it on its head. Spoiler alert – you won’t like what you see – but you’re not meant to.
This won’t be for everyone, but then we’re not looking for everyone, we are looking for people like you. People willing to tell it like it is and roll up their sleeves and do something about it every single day, until it’s done.
The good news is we have some clear moments to focus our activism on – from the G20 world leaders meeting next month on education, to the French G7 next year with the potential for progress on gender equality, followed by a critical opportunity on funding to fight HIV/AIDS. We need to make sure governments everywhere do more to invest in women and girls’ education, health and economic empowerment.
I believe that none of us are equal until all of us are equal – if you do too please share this video and encourage other people like you to join the movement for girls and women – we’re here with open arms and determined minds.
