Annie Lennox Partners With The Circle and Apple Music for Global International Women's Day Initiative

As the women's rights movement pushes forward, internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, performer and Human Rights activist Annie Lennox and the NGO she founded, The Circle, have partnered with Apple Music for a Global International Women's Day initiative launched today.

Together with Sammy Andrews and her team at Deviate Digital, they have created a short film in support of Global Feminism, an umbrella term inclusive of all approaches to women's equality.

To help her, Annie has drawn support from some of the biggest names in music, film and beyond, including Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Richard E Grant, Emeli Sande, Hozier, Richa Chadha, Eddie Izzard, Gwendoline Christie, Beverley Knight and Mary J Blige.

Watch / share the short film here: http://apple.co/global-feminism

While we celebrate and acknowledge the advancement in women rights over the past 100 years, we must make sure it's inclusive for all. The short film aims to highlight the injustices still experienced by millions of women and girls the world over - from misogyny, rape and violence to pay disparity.

Every woman and girl, no matter where they live, no matter the colour their skin, no matter what religious faith, no matter what - MUST have access to the same basic human rights. Global Feminists believe in equality of rights, with empowerment and justice made available for every woman and girl in every corner of the world.

Annie Lennox:
"Disempowerment creates an appalling way of life for millions of women and girls around the world. While physical or sexual violence affects one in three women, and two thirds of the world's 757 million adults who cannot read or write are women ... these are only two on a long list of disparity and injustice. We cannot ignore the fact that feminism must have a global reach."

"At a time when there seems to be so much polarity and division in the world, the term 'global feminism' offers an opportunity for people from every walk of life, colour of skin, gender or sexual orientation to understand and identify with the bigger global picture. We need to stand shoulder to shoulder in support of human rights, justice and equality for women and girls everywhere in the world, especially in countries where they are not even near the lowest rung of the ladder."

Rachel Newman (Apple Music Global Head of Editorial):
"Annie Lennox is not only one of the most prolific women in music, but one of the most dedicated and passionate women's rights advocates of our time. Her efforts to better this world are truly inspiring and her impact is undeniable. This International Women's Day we are thrilled and honored to support this incredible artist and share her message of #globalfeminism with our global audience."

Sioned Jones (Executive Director, The Circle):

"Global Feminism is at the heart of what we do as we strive for a more equal and fairer world for women and girls. On this International Women's Day having a chance to remind us all of the huge inequalities and injustices that remain for millions of women and girls across the globe is important in ensuring no one is left behind in being able to realise their basic human rights. We thank Annie, Apple Music and all the contributors who have given up their time and support to this film and we all stand together as Global Feminists."

To accompany the short film, all participants shared their favourite songs inspired by visionary women with Apple Music for an exclusive #GlobalFeminism playlist in honor of International Women's Day. You can listen to the playlist here: http://apple.co/GlobalFeminism

To find out more about how you can support Global Feminism visit: www.thecircle.ngo

Full list of participants in order of appearance: Annie Lennox, Mary J Blige, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Paloma Faith, Farhan, Gwendoline Christie, Yola, Hozier, Skin (Skunk Anansie), Livia Firth, Beverley Knight, Frank Carter, Nadine Shah, Eve Ensler, Ade Adepitan, Richard E Grant, Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro) , Nina Nesbit, Frank Turner, Eddie Izzard, Richa Chadha & Emeli Sande.

ABOUT ANNIE LENNOX
Named as one of The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine, internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, performer and Human Rights activist, Annie Lennox rose to fame in partnership with Dave Stewart as 'Eurythmics' in the early 1980's with the classic album "Sweet Dreams are Made of This." Followed by a decade of exceptional global success, she branched off to become a notable artist in her own right.

Over the decades, Annie Lennox has received numerous accolades in recognition of her contribution to the music business, including 8 BRIT Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement), 4 Ivor Novello Awards, 3 MTV Awards, 4 Grammy Awards, 26 ASCAP Awards, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. She has been awarded fellowships from some of the world's most prestigious music institutions, including The British Academy of Songwriters, The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Berklee College of Music and The Musicians Company. She received the Nobel Woman of Peace Award at the 10th Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in 2009 for her work on HIV/AIDS prevention and control focused on women and children - and was awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours in 2011 for her humanitarian work. Her leadership on humanitarian issues has been recognized with doctorates and fellowships from the world's leading academic institutions, notably with the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, where she was awarded the Livingstone Medal. In 2017 she was awarded the George Harrison Global Citizen Award, the Jubilee German Sustainability Award and became the first woman to be appointed Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University. In 2008, she founded 'The Circle,' which became an official charitable non-governmental organisation in 2015. The Circle aims to inspire, support and amplify awareness of the issues experienced by some of the world's most disempowered women and girls - in order to change and challenge the injustices they face.

ABOUT THE CIRCLE
Founded by Annie Lennox in 2008, The Circle brings women together from all walks of life, so that they can learn about the injustices and inequality facing many millions of women and girls across the globe, to be inspired and ultimately take action to bring about transformative change. Over 160,000 women and girls in more than 16 countries have been supported by the income raised by the women members of The Circle, which stands at just over £2.5m, and through the advocacy work they have undertaken. Issues they have worked on or continue to do so include ending violence against women, ensuring a living wage in the fast fashion industry, ensuring girls receive an education, women can have livelihoods and economic empowerment and access to health.

ABOUT APPLE MUSIC
Apple loves music. With iPod and iTunes, Apple revolutionized the music experience by putting a thousand songs in your pocket. Today, Apple Music takes this to the ultimate with over 50 million songs, thousands of playlists and daily selections from the world's best music experts including Beats 1 Radio, a global live stream. Since 2015, Apple Music has welcomed tens of millions of subscribers in 115 countries. Streaming seamlessly to iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Mac, HomePod and CarPlay, Apple Music is the most complete music experience on the planet.

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