'Poverty is sexist': 140 stars from entertainment industry call on world leaders to tackle gender equality

Oprah Winfrey and Meryl Streep among stars who have joined forces to urge world leaders to stop overlooking women in poverty and commit to helping every girl get an education

Oprah Winfrey is among the stars who have joined forces to urge world leaders to tackle global gender inequality (Getty)

High profile figures from across the world of entertainment have penned an open letter to world leaders demanding an urgent push for global gender equality.

Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep and Letitia Wright are among the stars who have joined forces to urge world leaders to stop “overlooking” women in poverty and commit to helping every girl get an education.

The letter warns leaders they are being put “on notice” and hits out at inequality between women and men, particularly in the poorest countries of the world.

“There is nowhere on earth where women have the same opportunities as men, but the gender gap is wider for women living in poverty. Poverty is sexist. And we won’t stand by while the poorest women are overlooked,” it states.

Reese Witherspoon, Amy Schumer, Chelsea Clinton and Ryan Reynolds are also among the 140 signatories backing the call, which is being led by the ONE campaign – as well as Neil Patrick Harris, Natalie Dormer and Robin Wright.

The letter reads: “You have the power to deliver historic changes for women this year. From the G7 to the G20; from the African Union to your annual budgets; we will push you for commitments and hold you to account for them.

“And, if you deliver, we will be the first to champion your progress. We won’t stop until there is justice for women and girls everywhere. Because none of us are equal until all of us are equal.”

Romilly Greenhill, UK director of the One Campaign, said: “Girls’ education is essential in the fight to end extreme poverty, and ensuring every girl gets the chance to learn is the key to unlocking their huge potential.

“Until we’re able to break down the barriers holding girls and women back on a global level, extreme poverty and gender inequality will continue to exist.”

It comes amid growing anger among stars in the entertainment industry over gender equality. Earlier this year, swathes of celebrities arrived at the BAFTAs wearing black in solidarity with the Time’s Up movement, which sees 300 women who work in film, television, and theatre banding together to create a legal defence fund to help survivors of sexual harassment.