Omotola, David Oyelowo, Join Other Global Celebs To Speak On The Girls Education Crisis

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

ONE Campaign, an international advocacy and campaigning organization has disclosed that globally, 130 million girls are not in school.

The group affirms that, because poverty is sexist, girls in the poorest countries are less likely to receive an education than boys.

“This means a generation of adolescent girls is being denied the education they need to get a job, broaden their opportunities, and break the cycle of poverty. A girl with an education can change the world.”

Ahead of 8 March, International Women’s Day, ONE Campaign has launched its #GirlsCount campaign, a bold  initiative that has rallied citizens and leaders from around the world and in Nigeria to bring a spotlight on this crisis and demand action from global leaders to end this crisis.

In Nigeria, Nollywood star Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is the main champion for the campaign which has been backed by the new UN Deputy Secretary General, Mrs Amina Mohammed and Bring Back our Girls Co-founder, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili.

The #GirlsCount video which features citizens from every walk of life is aimed at getting people to join forces by filming themselves and counting a number between one and 130 million out loud.

One film, the group says is meant to represent every girl denied an education.

ONE Campaign’s Nigeria Director Serah Makka said “It is a global crisis that 130 million girls are not in school and Nigeria is unfortunately contributing a significant share to this. Renewed efforts are urgently needed.

She added, “Girls’ education spurs exponential positive effects on social and economic development for generations to come. Educating girls secures the future of Nigeria. #GirlsCount is uniting people to make the scale of this crisis clear and to call on leaders to act urgently.”