“One Woman: A song for UN Women”

launches … tomorrow, MARCH 8

YUNA sings Song HERE

International Women’s Day ( 2013)

A Musical Celebration of Women Worldwide

Artists from 20 countries participate

“One Woman: A song for UN Women” is being launched on 8 March, International Women’s Day.

The “One Woman” song is a musical celebration of women worldwide, featuring 25 artists from 20 countries.

UN Women says the song calls for change and celebrates acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who make daily extraordinary contributions to their own communities and countries.

Yuna, a singer-songwriter from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is one of the artists of the “One Woman” song. In this interview with Beng Poblete-Enriquez, Yuna says performing this song is one way that she’s giving back to society and is happy to be a part of something really important.

March, 2013 “One Woman: A song for UN Women” will launch on International Women’s Day. The track will be globally available for download as of 8 March (EST 7 March, 12 noon) on http://song.unwomen.org, together with the full song video and behind-the-scenes videos chronicling the song’s year-long production.

“One Woman” is a ‘musical celebration of women worldwide’, featuring 25 artists from 20 countries across the globe. The song calls for change and celebrates acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who daily make extraordinary contributions to their countries and communities. The lyrics are inspired by stories of women whom UN Women has supported.

UN Women is the UN organization charged with advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality worldwide. It began its work in 2011, the first new UN organization in decades. “One Woman” is the first theme song for a UN organization.

“One Woman” gives us a message of hope and inspiration”, says UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet.

“This song carries a message of unity and solidarity with women worldwide and reminds us that equality, human rights and human dignity are the birthright of all of us, every human being. I thank everyone who made this song possible.”

Singers and performers from all regions, women and men, donated their time and contributed their talent. They include: Ana Bacalhau (Portugal); Angelique Kidjo (Benin); Anoushka Shankar (India); Bassekou Kouyate (Mali); Bebel Gilberto (Brazil); Beth Blatt (US); Brian Finnegan (Ireland); Buika (Spain); Charice (Philippines); Cherine Amr (Egypt); Debi Nova (Costa Rica); Emeline Michel (Haiti); Fahan Hassan (UK); Idan Raichel (Israel); Jane Zhang (China); Jim Diamond (UK); Keith Murrell (UK); Lance Ellington (UK); Marta Gomez (Colombia); Maria Friedman (UK); Meklit Hadero (Ethiopia); Rokia Traoré (Mali); Vanessa Quai (Vanuatu); Ximena Sariñana (Mexico); Yuna (Malaysia).

Initially performed during the launch event for UN Women in the UN General Assembly Hall in 2011, “One Woman” aims to become a rallying cry that inspires listeners about the mission of UN Women and engages them to join in the drive for women’s empowerment and gender equality.

The music of the song is by Graham Lyle (Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and many other hits) and British/Somali singer-songwriter Fahan Hassan; the lyrics are by Beth Blatt. Jerry Boys – who has worked with a wide range of artists including REM, Everything But The Girl and was one of the people behind the Buena Vista Social Club recording – produced the song, together with executive producer Beth Blatt and her organization Hope Sings.

Microsoft, as UN Women’s corporate partner for “One Woman” has sponsored the song and music video production.

• The song will be available for purchase on the song website and all common channels like iTunes and Amazon for $0.99.
• All proceeds go directly to UN Women in support of its programmes to empower women on the ground.

Advance music and video files for media review are available here.

Broadcast-quality versions can be requested from UN Women for use as of today.

Please contact Jessica.taudte[at]unwomen.org, +1-646-781-4706.