{"id":143480,"date":"2019-03-06T08:00:39","date_gmt":"2019-03-06T13:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.one.org\/us\/?post_type=one_press&p=143480"},"modified":"2019-03-06T08:00:39","modified_gmt":"2019-03-06T13:00:39","slug":"iwd19","status":"publish","type":"one_press","link":"https:\/\/www.one.org\/us\/press\/iwd19\/","title":{"rendered":"Letter to World Leaders Calls for Action on Gender Equality, Fight Against AIDS"},"content":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON — Ahead of International Women\u2019s Day, 45 female activists from Africa co-signed an\u00a0open letter\u00a0<\/a><\/u>to world leaders calling for concrete action on gender equality. In the letter, these advocates warn, at our current rate of progress, gender equality will take 108 years to achieve.<\/p>\n

The co-signers, all women on frontlines of the gender equality fight in their communities in Africa, are advocating for progress on women\u2019s rights and support for global health programs like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. \u00a0Their call is supported by powerful voices like Bono, Danai Gurira, Oprah, David Oyelowo, and Tom Brady.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFor the girls who are married off as children or not allowed to go to school; for the women dying of AIDS \u2013 warm words are not enough. We need urgent action.\u201d said Wadi Victoria Ben-Hirki, co-signer and founder of the Wadi Ben-Hirki (WBH) Foundation<\/strong>. \u201cPoliticians are saying the right things, but their rhetoric needs to convert to reality. We need to close the gap between promises and progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

AIDS-related illnesses are now the leading cause of death for women aged 15 to 44 on the planet, and 1,000 young women contract HIV every day. Later this year, the United States will need to make a pledge to the Global Fund, one of the most effective global health organizations on the planet. It isvital that elected officials continue the United States\u2019 one-third pledge\u00a0<\/a><\/u>to the Global Fund and send a strong signal to the world that America\u2019s leadership in the fight against poverty and disease remains steadfast.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The full text of the letter reads:<\/p>\n

Dear World Leaders,<\/em><\/p>\n

We are the women at the frontlines of the fight against gender inequality and global poverty.<\/em><\/p>\n

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. \u00a0We won\u2019t surrender this fight, but we need you to play your part.<\/em><\/p>\n

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. \u00a0We need genuine progress, not grand promises.<\/em><\/p>\n

We want implementation and accountability at every level – from this year\u2019s 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\u2019s both the right and the smart thing to do for everyone.<\/em><\/p>\n

To accelerate progress men must demand change with us so that we rise united not divided. \u00a0And women must have a seat at the decision-making table \u2013 because you can\u2019t change what you don\u2019t see. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019re not looking for your sympathy, we\u2019re demanding your action. Because none of us are equal until all of us are equal.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yours,<\/em><\/p>\n

Melene Rossouw, South Africa (Women Lead Movement)<\/em><\/p>\n

Joannie Marlene Bewa, Benin (Young Beninese Leaders Association)<\/em><\/p>\n

Wadi Victoria Ben-Hirki, Nigeria (ONE Champion\/Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation)<\/em><\/p>\n

Samira Sanusi, Nigeria (Samira Sanusi Sickle Cell Foundation)<\/em><\/p>\n

Fridah Githuku, Kenya (GROOTS)<\/em><\/p>\n

Naomi Tulay Solanke, Liberia (Community Health Initiative)<\/em><\/p>\n

Chmba Ellen Chilemba, Malawi (Tiwale Women’s Organization)<\/em><\/p>\n

Togola Hawa Semega, Mali (KUNAFONI)<\/em><\/p>\n

Dieynaba Sidibe, Senegal (Grafitti Artist known as “Zeinixx” Works at Africulturban)<\/em><\/p>\n

Lola Omolola, Nigeria (FIN)<\/em><\/p>\n

Aya Chebbi, Tunisia (African Union Youth Envoy)<\/em><\/p>\n

Lydia Charles Moyo, Tanzania (Femina Hip)<\/em><\/p>\n

Elizabeth Wanja Ngeth, Kenya (Kijiji Afrika)<\/em><\/p>\n

Olaoluwa Abagun, Nigeria (Girl Pride Circle)<\/em><\/p>\n

Mercy Abang, Nigeria (United Nations Journalism fellow)<\/em><\/p>\n

Karimot Odebode, Nigeria (ONE Champion)<\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Stellah Wairimu Bosire, Kenya ((UHAI EASHRI)<\/em><\/p>\n

Dolapo Olaniyan, Nigeria (The UnCut Initiative)<\/em><\/p>\n

Scheaffer Okore, Kenya (Pan African Chamber of Commerce)<\/em><\/p>\n

Diana Ninsiima, Tanzania (DOT Tanzania)<\/em><\/p>\n

Salimatou Fatty, Gambia (GPE youth advocate)<\/em><\/p>\n

Mildred Ngesa, Kenya (FEMNET)<\/em><\/p>\n

Memory Kachambwa, Zimbabwe (FEMNET)<\/em><\/p>\n

Julie Ciss\u00e9, Senegal (GIPS WAR)<\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, South Africa (Global Doctors for Choice)<\/em><\/p>\n

Mylene Flicka, Benin (Blogger)<\/em><\/p>\n

Mercy Juma, Kenya (Broadcast journalist)<\/em><\/p>\n

Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, Nigeria (Stand to End Rape Initiative)<\/em><\/p>\n

Amina Abdulazeez, Nigeria (ONE Champion)<\/em><\/p>\n

Hauwa Liman, Nigeria (Inspire for Impact)<\/em><\/p>\n

Linet Kwamboka, Kenya (DataScience)<\/em><\/p>\n

Saran Ke\u00efta Diakite, Mali (Malian Advocacy Group on SDGs)<\/em><\/p>\n

Sagara Saran Bouare, Mali (Women in Law and Development – WILDAF)<\/em><\/p>\n

Maimouna Dioncounda Dembele, Mali (Human Rights Activist)<\/em><\/p>\n

Mariam Diallo, Mali (Association for Women\u2019s Leadership and Development – AFLED)<\/em><\/p>\n

Nana Toure, Mali (Sahel Youth Network)<\/em><\/p>\n

Val\u00e9rie Traor\u00e9, Senegal (Niyel)<\/em><\/p>\n

Imameleng Masitha, South Africa (The Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition)<\/em><\/p>\n

Mama Koit\u00e9 Doumbia, Mali (FEMNET Mali)<\/em><\/p>\n

Refilwe Ledwaba, South Africa (Girl Fly Programme in Africa Foundation – GFPA)<\/em><\/p>\n

Anta Fall Basse Kont\u00e9, Senegal (FAWE S\u00e9n\u00e9gal)<\/em><\/p>\n

Danedjo Hadidja, Cameroon (APAD Maroua)<\/em><\/p>\n

Martha Muhwezi, Kenya (FAWE)<\/em><\/p>\n

Fran\u00e7oise Kpeglo Moudouthe (co-founder of Girls Not Brides)<\/em><\/p>\n

Nana Semuah Bressey, Ghana (Nurse)<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON — Ahead of International Women\u2019s Day, 45 female activists from Africa co-signed an\u00a0open letter\u00a0to world leaders calling for concrete action on gender equality. In the letter, these advocates warn, at our current rate of progress, gender equality will take 108 years to achieve. The co-signers, all women on frontlines of the gender equality fight […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"contributor":[],"class_list":["post-143480","one_press","type-one_press","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLetter to World Leaders Calls for Action on Gender Equality, Fight Against AIDS - ONE.org US<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.one.org\/us\/press\/iwd19\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Letter to World Leaders Calls for Action on Gender Equality, Fight Against AIDS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"WASHINGTON — Ahead of International Women\u2019s Day, 45 female activists from Africa co-signed an\u00a0open letter\u00a0to world leaders calling for concrete action on gender equality. 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