International children’s charity Street Child hosted its International Women’s Day Gala bringing together a star-studded audience united by a shared commitment to advancing opportunities for girls and women through education.
The red carpet event this week at London’s indigo at The O2 welcomed around 400 guests from across the worlds of entertainment, business and philanthropy.
The evening celebrated the transformative power of education for girls living in some of the world’s most challenging environments while raising vital funds to expand Street Child’s global programmes.
Hosted by presenter Priscilla Anyabu, the event shone a spotlight on the importance of investing in girls’ education to unlock opportunity, resilience and long-term development for communities worldwide.
High-profile guests included actor, entrepreneur, and humanitarian Sabrina Dhowre Elba, Penny Lancaster, and broadcaster and business figure Nick Hewer.
Sabrina Dhowre Elba delivered the evening’s keynote speech, highlighting the global impact of empowering women and girls through education and economic opportunity.
Street Child works across more than 20 low-income and crisis-affected countries, focusing on communities where conflict, poverty and climate shocks create significant barriers to education.
Since 2008, the organisation has supported the education of more than 1.6 million children including over 880,000 girls while also helping families build sustainable livelihoods that enable children to stay in school.
Lucinda Dannatt, Founder of Street Child, said: “Across the communities where Street Child works, millions of girls are still fighting for something many of us take for granted: the chance to go to school. Poverty, conflict and crisis too often stand in their way. But when a girl is able to learn, everything changes. Her confidence grows, her opportunities expand, and the future of her family and community shifts with her. This evening brought people together who are determined to help remove those barriers, raising vital funds so more girls can step into classrooms, realise their potential and shape the futures they deserve.”
Sabrina Dhowre Elba said: “The work Street Child is doing shows what is possible when we back women and girls with real opportunity. I’m proud to stand with them this International Women’s Day to help ensure more girls can access the education and support they need to shape their own futures. When we invest in girls’ education, we invest in stronger communities, healthier families, and a more equal world. Yet millions of girls are still denied the chance to learn simply because of where they are born or the challenges their communities face.”
Penny Lancaster said: “I’m delighted to be supporting Street Child this International Women’s Day. Every girl and every woman deserves safety, education and the freedom to believe in her future, yet for so many it simply isn’t a reality. What I love about Street Child is that they work in some of the toughest places around the world and create real, lasting change. This evening is about coming together to give more girls and women the opportunity and independence that education brings. It’s a cause very close to my heart and I feel honoured to be part of it.”
Nick Hewer said: “I’m proud to support Street Child and their work giving girls and women the chance to go to school. Every extra year of learning can increase a woman’s earnings by 10-20 per cent, giving her independence while also benefiting her community and beyond. Investing in girls and women transforms lives and strengthens communities for generations to come.”
