We need to invest in women –Omotola

Celebrated actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has stressed the need to empower women to reduce poverty on the continent.

She spoke recently on ‘Strong Girl’, a song she produced with eight African other artistes.

The artistes are Victoria Kimani (Kenya), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Ariele T (Gabon), Gabriela (Mozambique), Selmor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe) ,YemiAlade (Nigeria) and Blessing   (South Africa).

An initiative of One Africa, the   advocacy song is targeted at empowering girls and women around the world and highlighting the fact that the impact of poverty is often felt by the female gender.

Omotola said, “When we invest in women and girls, we increase and accelerate the chances of overcoming poverty. That is why I joined the One Campaign’s Poverty is Sexist and I call on the public to join me in signing the petition.

Also, shedding light on the campaign, ONE’s Africa Executive Director, Dr. Sipho Moyo, said, “We must seize this opportunity to refocus the development agenda, and unleash the human social, political and economic potential of women everywhere.

“Investments in health, education and economic empowerment can help to remove the barriers that prevent so many girls and women from leading healthy and productive lives.”