Marie Claire backs ‘Because I am a Girl’

Cherie Booth and June Sarpong at the Marie Claire magazine event

31 October 2007: Leading human rights barrister Cherie Booth and television presenter June Sarpong were among the celebrities at a special Marie Claire magazine event to raise awareness of Plan UK’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign.
  
The ‘Because I am a Girl’ report, launched in May this year, reveals that international targets set by world leaders to protect girls living in poverty are unlikely to be met.

Girls throughout the world will lose out unless governments take urgent action now.  
  
Cherie Booth QC and June Sarpong joined Plan UK chief executive officer Marie Staunton and Marie Claire editor Marie O'Riordan on the panel for a question and answer session at the event, which attracted a host of high-profile guests including actresses Shobna Gulati and Claire Holman.

A short film was shown and guests had the opportunity to sign the 'Because I am a Girl' pledge.

Fight for gender equality

Marie O’Riordan said: “Each time we think the fight for gender equality is closer to being won, something like the 'Because I am a Girl' report lands on your desk and pulls you up short.

“The December issue of Marie Claire includes a feature highlighting the aim of the Plan campaign. The most shocking stories for me are not the ones of girls in the developing world because we cover these all the time in Marie Claire but those relating to girls on our doorstep.

“This is not something that should be covered by women’s pages and magazine – this is a mainstream issue that requires national press headlines.”

Visit Plan UK’s 'Because I am a Girl' campaign microsite to find out more and sign the pledge.

Read the Because I am a Girl report (pdf, 4mb)