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of our goal of
Progress not Promises
We won’t end extreme poverty until we break down the barriers holding girls and women back. That’s why we’re standing in solidarity with women on the front lines of the fight for gender equality.
Over forty inspiring activists from fifteen African countries have co-signed a powerful letter to world leaders demanding progress, not promises for women everywhere. Sign their letter and join the global movement for equality.
Open Letter
Dear World Leaders,
We are the women at the frontlines of the fight against gender inequality and global poverty.
Every day we see the determination and dignity of girls and women facing down the toughest challenges. We see real advances and the power of people to achieve change. We won’t surrender this fight, but we need you to play your part.
You promised to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030, but at the current rate of progress, this will take 108 years. This is unacceptable. We need genuine progress, not grand promises.
We want implementation and accountability at every level - from this year’s G7 Summit to the Global Fund Replenishment; from our African Union leaders to our community leaders. We will be looking for your actions not your words; for funding to follow promises; and policy to turn into practice. It’s both the right and the smart thing to do for everyone.
To accelerate progress men must demand change with us so that we rise united not divided. And women must have a seat at the decision-making table – because you can’t change what you don’t see.
We’re not looking for your sympathy, we’re demanding your action. Because none of us are equal until all of us are equal.
Yours,
The Spokeswomen
11 of the Open Letter co-signers agreed to be spokeswomen. Read their stories:
- Olaoluwa Abagun, Nigeria
- Mercy Abang, Nigeria
- Amina Abdulazeez, Nigeria
- Dr. Stellah Wairimu Bosire, Kenya
- Sagara Saran Bouare, Mali
- Nana Semuah Bressey, Ghana
- Julie Cissé, Senegal
- Maimouna Dioncounda Dembele, Mali
- Saran Keïta Diakite, Mali
- Mariam Diallo, Mali
- Mama Koité Doumbia, Mali
- Salimatou Fatty, Gambia
- Mylene Flicka, Benin
- Danedjo Hadidja, Cameroon
- Mercy Juma, Kenya
- Memory Kachambwa, Zimbabwe
- Anta Fall Basse Konté, Senegal
- Linet Kwamboka, Kenya
- Refilwe Ledwaba, South Africa
- Hauwa Liman, Nigeria
- Imameleng Masitha, South Africa
- Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, South Africa
- Françoise Kpeglo Moudouthe, Cameroon
- Lydia Charles Moyo, Tanzania
- Martha Muhwezi, Uganda
- Mildred Ngesa, Kenya
- Elizabeth Wanja Ngeth, Kenya
- Diana Ninsiima, Tanzania
- Karimot Odebode, Nigeria
- Scheaffer Okore, Kenya
- Dolapo Olaniyan, Nigeria
- Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, Nigeria
- Nana Toure, Mali
- Valérie Traoré, Senegal
Nigeria
Benin
Tunisia
Malawi
Kenya
South Africa
Mali
Senegal
Liberia
Your voice is the source of your power.
In ONE’s new short film series, Yours in Power, three women's rights activists share a letter they've written to their younger selves to help them discover the power they have to change the world.
What we're asking
Download ONE’s policy brief to find out what actions we’re asking world leaders to take to make real progress towards gender equality.
