Lyndsey Scott, Laura Carmichael, Edith Bowman, Laura Mvula, Jameela Jamil, Cherry Healey, Minnie Driver and Laura Bailey amongst a host of celebrities supporting Theirworld’s #RewritingTheCode campaign

March 11, 2016

President of charity Theirworld Sarah Brown last week, launched a new International Women’s Day campaign #RewritingTheCode at a special breakfast hosted with Facebook. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the prejudice girls face globally, aiming to make 2016 the moment to change gender stereotypes and discriminatory values for a generation of young women.

The charity have been calling on people to share on social media what embedded value- that start for girls before birth and can shape their futures- they would like to change by posting a picture to create a spike of activity ahead of International Women’s Day.

Those that have posted include:

Sarah Brown

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

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

#RewritingTheCode ???????? #BackOnTheLondonBeat #Theirworld #GirlsCanBeLeaders

A photo posted by Lyndsey Scott (@lyndsey360) on Mar 3, 2016 at 9:39am PST

Edith Bowman

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

Bonnie Wright

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 ????

A photo posted by Bonnie Wright (@thisisbwright) on Mar 3, 2016 at 8:10am PST

Cherry Healey

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

A photo posted by Cherry Healey ???? (@cherryhealey) on Mar 4, 2016 at 2:50am PST

Laura Carmichael

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

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

Naomi Campbell

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

Zawe Ashton

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

Steve Nguyen

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 Steve Nguyen (@stevenguyen) on Mar 3, 2016 at 9:15am PST

On the same day Theirworld have showed how they are #RewritingTheCode for girls with the launch of their new Code Clubs across Africa. With these innovative pilot projects, vulnerable girls and young women in Africa are being given a unique chance to learn vital technology skills in a safe space.

The pilot project – designed to empower girls with technology through creativity and learning- will benefit between 600-700 females aged 5 to 24 in Kenya, Uganda and Senegal. Expanding to three more countries later this year.

Code Clubs are being launched by the charity Theirworld in partnership with the companies Kano, Codeacademy and Africa Gathering. They are low-cost, sustainable and scaleable safe spaces where girls can build, learn and create through technology, creativity and coding.

Despite thousands of jobs being created in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industries across Africa, gender discrimination, lack of access to education and technology means girls are kept out of the work force and unable to break the cycle of poverty.

Sarah Brown, President of Theirworld 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”.

#RewritingTheCode and Theirworld’s work across Africa is supported by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.