Famous figures show support for Rewriting The Code for girls campaign

A girl at Kibera School for Girls in Kenya shares her message for the campaign Picture: Theirworld/Adriane Ohanesian

 

Millions of girls and young women across the world face prejudice every day. They don’t have equal access to education, opportunity and pay.

But the #RewritingTheCode campaign launched by Theirworld is trying to change the embedded values that hold girls back.

Theirworld – the campaigning charity behind A World at School – asked people to take a stand for International Women’s Day on March 8 and call on the world to start getting serious about #RewritingTheCode.

A host of famous faces joined in by sharing messages on social media – telling their fans and followers what embedded values they would like to change.

Sarah Brown, President of Theirworld, launched the #RewritingTheCode campaign at a special event co-hosted with Facebook in London. Theirworld also launched its innovative Code Clubs for girls in Kenya, Uganda and Senegal.

Sarah said: “With a safe space to learn and play, a mentor to inspire and access to technology to be able to explore, create and code, we can increase learning opportunities and empower girls to fulfil their potential.

“Every girl should have the opportunity to go to school, learn, grow and have a future they choose.”

Starting with Sarah, here’s a look at some of the #RewritingTheCode campaign messages from stars of TV, film, music and philanthropy.

SARAH BROWN

Theirworld President

 

 

On Fridays I help a code club in my village. It’s a struggle to get girls to attend. That shouldn’t be the case at home or any where else in the world. Embedded values that hold girls back must change. That’s why I’m #RewritingTheCode with @theirworldorg this #IWD2016. Will you join me?

A photo posted by SarahBrownUK (@sarahbrownuk) on

Mar 3, 2016 at 8:48am PST

 

MELINDA GATES

Co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

 

 

The world needs all the brainpower it an get, but because of harmful and unfair cultural norms, 62 million girls around the world are being kept home from school. That’s why, this #IWD2016, I’m joining @theirworldorg and #RewritingTheCode.

A photo posted by Melinda Gates (@melindafrenchgates) on

Mar 8, 2016 at 1:58pm PST

 

LYNDSEY SCOTT

Model, actress and app developer

 

 

#RewritingTheCode

 

EDITH BOWMAN

Radio DJ

 

 

This #IWD2016, I’m #RewritingTheCode with @aworldatschool. How? By fighting embedded values that keep girls out of school and prevents them from realising their potential. We can change the world if we change the code for girls! Join me?

A photo posted by @edibow on

Mar 3, 2016 at 7:16am PST

 

NAOMI CAMPBELL

Model, actress, singer, author

 

 

Girls are powerful. It’s time to change the embedded values that hold them back! That’s why I’m #RewritingTheCode this #IWD2016 @sarahbrownuk

A photo posted by Naomi Campbell (@iamnaomicampbell) on

Mar 5, 2016 at 2:18pm PST

 

LAURA CARMICHAEL

Actress (including TV’s Downton Abbey)

 

Morning! This International Women’s Day I’m #RewritingTheCode with @aworldatschool. How? By fighting embedded values that keep girls out of school and prevents them from realising their potential. We can change the world if we change the code for girls! Join me? #IWD2016 #RewritingTheCode

A photo posted by Laura Carmichael (@larrycarmichael) on Mar 4, 2016 at 3:24am PST

 

LAURA MVULA

Singer-songwriter

 

 

tired of talkin!!!!! #rewritingthecode #internationalwomensday #Facebook #lauramvula @facebook @theirworldorg #IWD2016 Dress by @chineloballyofficial Make-up by @gabriellaciullo

A photo posted by @lauramvula on

Mar 4, 2016 at 3:53am PST

 

BONNIE WRIGHT

Actress (including Harry Potter films)

 

 

Cool girls stay in school! Join me this #IWD2016 by #RewritingTheCode with @aworldatschool. Post a picture of yourself with the hashtag #ReWritingTheCode and tell the world girls deserve to finish their education and realize their potential

 

ZAWE ASHTON

Actor, writer, director

 

Womens stories deserve to be told.Their complexity,brutality,sadness,ecstasy,dreams-whatever.All BELONG #IWD2016 pic.twitter.com/IfGbydW73C

— Zawe Ashton (@ZaweAshton) March 8, 2016

 

MINNIE DRIVER

Actress, singer-songwriter

 

I’m #RewritingTheCode on #IWD2016 because I want to change the embedded values that hold girls back! pic.twitter.com/FdfoEUWq5w

— Minnie Driver (@driverminnie) March 4, 2016

 

CHERRY HEALEY

TV presenter

 

 

Girls aren’t ‘gobby’ or a ‘handful’ if they speak up. #RewritingTheCode #IWD2016 #theirworld

A photo posted by Cherry Healey

 

LAURA BAILEY 

Model, writer

 

#RewritingTheCode #IWD2016 @theirworld . Every girl has the right to learn #futureleaders #aworldatschool pic.twitter.com/yVNbu0dZxK

— Laura Bailey (@laurabailey_uk) March 6, 2016

 

 

STEVE NGUYEN

Director, writer, producer

 

Girls are powerful. It’s time to change the embedded values that hold them back! I’m #RewritingTheCode this #IWD2016 pic.twitter.com/vLHwwEMXar

— Steve Nguyen (@Steve_Nguyen) March 3, 2016

 

MARK LUCAS

Founder and Director, Silverfish Media

 

‘Women are half the sky’ Silverfish are behind @theirworld #RewritingTheCode pic.twitter.com/RHbZ0IP4oP

— Silverfish Media (@SilverfishMedia) March 4, 2016

 

Learn more about Theirworld’s Code Clubs for girls.