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Written by Graham Lyle and Fahan Hassan, “One Woman: A Song For UN Women” was initially performed during the launch event for UN Women in the UN General Assembly Hall in 2011. It “aims to become a rallying cry that inspires listeners about the mission of UN Women and engages them to join in the drive for women’s empowerment and gender equality.”

One Woman Lyrics (Vocals by: Ana Bacalhau, Angelique Kidjo, Anoushka Shankar, Bassekou Kouyate, Bebel Gilberto, Beth Blatt, Brian Finnegan, Buika, Charice, Cherine Amr, Debi Nova, Emeline Michel, Fahan Hassan, Idan Raichel, Jane Zhang, Jim Diamond, Keith Murrell, Lance Ellington, Marta Gomez, Maria Friedman, Meklit Hadero, Rokia Traoré, Vanessa Quai, Ximena Sariñana, and Yuna)

In Kigali, she wakes up,
She makes a choice,
In Hanoi, Natal, Ramallah.
In Tangier, she takes a breath,
Lifts up her voice,
In Lahore, La Paz, Kampala.
Though she’s half a world away
Something in me wants to say …

We are One Woman,
You cry and I hear you.
We are One Woman,
You hurt, and I hurt, too.
We are One Woman,
Your hopes are mine.
We shall shine.

In Juarez she speaks the truth,
She reaches out,
Then teaches others how to.
In Jaipur, she gives her name,
She lives without shame
In Manila, Salta, Embu.
Though we’re different as can be,
We’re connected, she with me

We are One Woman,
Your courage keeps me strong.
We are One Woman,
You sing, I sing along.
We are One Woman,
Your dreams are mine .
And we shall shine.
We shall shine.

And one man, he hears her voice.
And one man, he fights her fight.
Day by day, he lets go the old ways,
One woman at a time.
Though she’s half a world away,
Something in me wants to say.

We are one woman,
Your victories lift us all.
We are one woman,
You rise and I stand tall.
We are One Woman,
Your world is mine .
And we shall shine.
Shine, shine, shine.
We shall shine
Shine, shine, shine.
We shall shine.
Shine, shine, shine.