JERUSALEM, September 14, 2010 (WAFA)- On the occasion of the Young Women’s Forum, organized by UNIFEM (part of UN Women) during the 5th World Youth Conference in León, Mexico on August 24, the members of the Palestinian hip-hop band G-Town were awarded a MTV Latin America Chiuku prize, recognizing their commitment to the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign and highlighting the fact that they are agents of change who can promote betterment in their communities.
A UNIFEM press release said G-Town's frontman, Mohamad Mughrabi, was honored to receive a MTV prize that the band now shares with talented and socially engaged artists such as Wyclef Jean, Kelly Rowland and Morrissey to name but a few. 'Earning recognition at this level motivates us to do even more in the future in the fight to end violence against women', said Mohamed Mughrabi when leaving the stage.
Invited by UNIFEM to take part in the concert closing the Young Women's Forum, G-Town performed in front of a dynamic audience composed of 3,000 youth activists coming from all parts of the world. The concert also featured Debi Nova, a Costa Rican singer based in the United States and Pambo, a Mexican singer. The three acts represented different musical styles and regions, but all shared the message that the time had come to end violence against women and stressed the need to empower youth in the fight against gender-based violence.
Charismatic and brilliant artists like G-Town are key players in reaching out to young people and encouraging them to take a stand in respect of women's human rights, said Alia El-Yassir, Head of the UNIFEM occupied Palestinian territory office.
Active since 2002, G-Town is about to release its second full-length album. The band contributed in the past to several UNIFEM-led events in the oPt such as the annual Festival to Combat Violence Against Women (2008,2009) marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (25 November-10December) and for which they wrote the main theme song. Their participation in the Young Women Forum was their first contribution to a global activity.
