Dear John,

We are excited to announce that we launched our film at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week. Our film "Girls in the shadows of the COVID lockdown" draws attention to the consequences of extended lockdowns for women and girls in Kenya. Click below to watch.

During my time helping to film in Kenya, I heard from members of the Mothers of Victims and Survivors Network. An advocacy group dedicated to supporting people who have experienced gender-based violence.

Across the world, gender-based violence increased during Covid-19 lockdowns. The disproportionate length of lockdowns, for countries that were prevented from accessing the vaccine, had an immeasurable impact on people's lives. 

“Your voice is much louder, and it is heard more than it was during our time" - Mama Victor

We are part of a global network challenging unjust international policies that allowed for rich countries to hoard more vaccines than they needed. By refusing to share the science, instead choosing to allow Big Pharma to rake in profits, poorer countries were unable to produce their own vaccine. This film shines a light on the impact Big Pharma's greed has on people's lives.

International leaders are currently negotiating a Treaty to outline how nations should act if another pandemic happens. This Treaty is a pivotal moment where we can ensure that the unnecessary loss of life, and immeasurable impact on women and girls, does not happen again. 

We must #SharetheScience. Global decision-makers and Big Pharma must learn that we will not allow for vaccine inequity to happen again. Join us in campaigning for this message by sharing this film.

In solidarity,

Hamimu Masudi,
Policy and Campaigns Officer