Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Meryl Streep, and Others Collaborate in 'Poverty Is Sexist' Letter
Beyonce Knowles, Lady Gaga joined the group composed of 36 powerful women from different walks of life in signing an open letter "Poverty Is Sexist" on Sunday addressed to German chancellor Angela Merkel and the South Africa's Minister of Health Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who will lead the worldwide G7 summit for women empowerment this coming June.
The letter, initiated by the London-based non-government organization ONE which is spearheaded by BONO, is also signed by seasoned Hollywood actresses Meryl Streep, Charlize Theron, Rosamund Pike, Angelique Kidjo and Rita Wilson, Yahoo News reports.
According to Billboard, women politicians, executives and activists such as Facebook COO's Sheryl Sandberg are also among those who supported the cause saying that "women get a raw deal" and "poverty is sexist."
"If your summits reach the right agreements, great financing and momentum around girls and women's empowerment can be placed at the heart of the new global goals. Poverty is sexist, and we won't end it unless we face up to the fact that girls and women get a raw deal, and until leaders and citizens around the world work together for real change," the letter said.
The petition further specified situations wherein women's welfare is compromised.
"For the girl who can't go to a decent primary or secondary school or access healthcare, or who is forced to marry while still a child; for the mothers threatened with death when they give life and who aren't allowed to decide when to have their next child; for the women who can't own or inherit the land she farms, nor open a bank account, own a phone, access electricity or the legal system; for the infant girl who doesn't legally exist because her birth wasn't registered and the government hasn't the capacity to collect data on her or her village; for the women and girls who can't take those who are violent towards them to court nor access justice -- let's make sure they all count."
According to DW, the petition got its inspiration from a previous study conduct by ONE among women in poor countries. The study shows that women are only getting half of the rights and privileges that men are enjoying due to due to the lack of opportunities to get quality education, health care systems and agricultural equipment.
The study further said that addressing gender discrimination and providing women with the same opportunities in agriculture can help reduce starvation around the world.
