Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA – Have a big idea on how African leaders can harness the power of girls in Africa? ONE Campaign wants to read it.

The anti-poverty organisation invites young Africans to submit a 500-word essay answering the question, “What one big idea should African leaders implement that will harness the power of the continent’s girls to transform all our futures? The essay competition is part of the organisation’s efforts to call on African leaders to invest in the continent’s youth, particularly girls, to achieve a demographic dividend.

Fifty-one millions girls in Africa didn’t go to school, or walked long distances in dangerous conditions to get there, or sat in a classroom without a teacher or textbooks. Without investments for girls left out of school, Africa risks missing out on achieving its demographic dividend.  

ONE Africa Deputy Director, Nachilala Nkombo said: “We are excited to announce this competition. It’s an opportunity to engage Africa’s dynamic  youth to provide solutions to one of the biggest challenges facing their countries and communities. If Africa is to reap the fruits of a rapidly growing youth population, it is essential to understand and take on board the perspective of the youth on where investments should be strategically targeted”

The competition is open to African youth aged between 18 and 35 and thewinner will join ONE at the African Union Summit in January 2018 to encourage African leaders to adopt strategic recommendation under the AU’s theme, “Harnessing the demographic dividend through investments in Youth”.

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Notes to editors

Competition rules:

For more information about the competition, visit 

http://www.one.org/girlscountcompetition/

Entries should not exceed 500 words and must be submitted by November 17, 2017. No submission fees apply.

The winner(s) will be notified by e-mail and will be chosen at the sole and absolute discretion of ONE.