"Because I am a girl" by Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Oliver Mtukudzi and Suzanna Owiyo

We are loving this new "Because I am a Girl" song by South Africa's Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Oliver Mtukudzi of Zimbabwe and Suzanna Owiyo from Kenya. The song highlights the challenges girls face across the African continent, where millions of teenage girls are pushed out of school through forced or early marriage, gender-based violence and discrimination.

The song was released to celebrate and promote the global launch of Plan's Because I am a Girl campaign marking the first UN International day of the Girl, on 11 October 2012.

Lyrics: Because I am a Girl

[Suzanna]
Nyako Reiny Sulwe
Msichana shujaa

Les filles lutter pour vos droits (girl child stand up for your rights)

[Yvonne]
Girl is so special
Girl is the pride of the world

Mwanasikana akakosha

[Yvonne]
How long must I suffer
And how long must they take my pride
Invest in me
Invest in the future
Give me a chance
To be a child

هيا يا بنت دافعي عن حقوقك Hya ya bint dafaei an higogik

[Chorus]
Msichana shujaa
(Forca menina Forca)
Shujaa msichana

هيا يا بنت دافعي عن حقوقكHya ya bint dafaei an higogik

[Oliver]
Oh how can you treat a girl child like this?
How can you man be so cruel
She doesn't have to be afraid
She doesn't have to be scared anymore

Mwanasikana iwe shinga
Shinga mwanasikana
(Forca menina Forca)
Mwanasikana iwe shinga
Shinga mwanasikana

Shingirira mwanasikana

Don't put me down, because I am a girl
I need to be me, because I am a girl
I need protection, because I am a girl

(Forca menina Forca)
Don't put me down, because I am a girl
I need to be me, because I am a girl
I need protection, because I am a girl
Don't ignore my rights, because I am a girl

No, No, No, No-No

هيا يا بنت دافعي عن حقوقكHya ya bint dafaei an higogik

Msichana shujaa
Shujaa msichana

Mwanasikani iwe shinga
Shinga mwanasikana

Shingirira mwanasikana

[Suzanna]
Maybe if you respect me
Yeah, I'll never fear being alone
Nipe uhuru wangu
Nipe nafasi yangu ehh
Nipe masomo
Napia yeshima yangu
Mimi ni msichana

Msichana shujaa
Forca mernina forca
Shujaa msichana

Mwanasikana iwe shinga
Shinga mwanasikana

Forca mernina forca

Mwanasikana iwe shinga
Forca mernina forca
Shinga mwanasikana

Haiya ya bint dafo ah han honike

Don't put me down, because I am a girl
I need to be me, because I am a girl
I need protection, because I am a girl

Don't put me down, because I am a girl
I need to be me, because I am a girl
I need protection, because I am a girl
Don't ignore my rights, because I am a girl

No, No, No No-No

Les filles lutter pour vos droits (girl child stand up for your rights)

No, No, No No-No

Msichana shujaa
Forca mernina Forca
Shujaa msichana

Forca mernina forca

Msichana shujaa
les filles lutter pour vos droits
Shujaa msichana

Haiya ya bint dafo ah han honike

Mwanasika iwe shinga
Forca mernina forca
Shinga mwanasikana

Source

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