Musicians sing for women's rights

A United Nations organization dedicated to advancing women's rights is gearing up to release a "We Are the World"-type theme song. The downloadable track and video for "One Woman: A Song for UN Women" will launch on International Women's Day (March 8).

Musicians involved in the global project include Ana Bacalhau (Portugal), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Anoushka Shankar (India), Bassekou Kouyate (Mali), Bebel Gilberto (Brazil), Beth Blatt (U.S.), Brian Finnegan (Ireland), Buika (Spain), Charice (Philippines), Cherine Amr (Egypt), Debi Nova (Costa Rica), Emeline Michel (Haiti), Fahan Hassan (U.K.), Idan Raichel (Israel), Jane Zhang (China), Jim Diamond (U.K.), Keith Murrell (U.K.), Lance Ellington (U.K.), Marta Gomez (Colombia), Maria Friedman (U.K.), Meklit Hadero (Ethiopia), Rokia Traoré (Mali), Vanessa Quai (Vanuatu), Ximena Sariñana (Mexico), and Yuna (Malaysia). Graham Lyle and Fahan Hassan wrote the music for the song, which was produced by Jerry Boys.

Proceeds from online sales of the song will go to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, which was created in 2010 through the merger of the UN Development Fund for Women with other UN bodies.