Former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt joins charity’s ‘Global Tantrum’

• Pop singer films video in protest over lack of early years investment
• Wyatt says we need ‘urgent’ change for the future of young children
• Other high-profile celebrities set to join the tantrum in the coming weeks

In a new video former Pussycat Dolls singer Kimberly Wyatt behaves like a frustrated toddler, but for an important cause.

She has joined a global campaign to stand up for children missing out on early years care and education, alongside comedian Matt Lucas, Kenyan actor Jacky Vike and others.

In a short film Kimberly, inspired by her children’s tantrums, is seen blowing raspberries, throwing her boots at her film crew and furiously scribbling all over her dance studio mirrors.

The singer, actor and TV presenter is putting her voice behind the Global Tantrum, an action by the global children’s charity Theirworld to highlight the crisis in early years care and provision.

You can watch the film here.

Part of Theirworld’s Act for Early Years campaign, the Global Tantrum aims to send a strong message to world leaders that they are ignoring and letting down the world’s youngest children through lack of investment and political will.

More than half of the world’s children – about 350 million – have no access to childcare and 175 million are not enrolled in pre-primary education. Without the right early years support, children fall behind even before they have started school.

The campaign was kicked off by comedian and actor Matt Lucas with a video in which he shouts and screams at his film crew. He was followed by Kenyan actor and comedian Jacky Vike.

Now Kimberly, a mother of three, has joined the collective tantrum to protest over the lack of investment in the early years. Because what do children do when they’re being ignored? They have a tantrum. Other celebrities across the world will be joining in the coming weeks.

“People are struggling. We are now a society that requires both parents to work as a necessity which means we need to provide proper, affordable care for our children.” said Kimberly. “Give families the support they need when they need it most.”

Theirworld will take the Global Tantrum to the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September to raise awareness among world leaders.

In 2018, G20 countries made a ground-breaking commitment to the world’s youngest children, but those have gone off track.

The charity says there is overwhelming evidence that shows that without proper support, children are at risk of going through life with poorer physical and mental health, and will face an uphill struggle to learn and, later, to earn a living.

Sarah Brown, Chair of Theirworld, said: “The first few years of a child’s life plays such an important role in their future development. It is non-negotiable to ensure that they are supported fully in this period of their lives.

“We’re urgently in need of a global revolution in early years provision to solve this problem. And it is without a doubt our responsibility to drive this change to improve the lives of millions of children who are being left behind and let down.”

“This is why Kimberly, Matt, Jacky and many more are joining Theirworld in throwing a wobbly to show enough is enough and urgent change is so desperately needed. Although the Global Tantrum is a fun, light-hearted action, it is here to highlight a critical issue. We need world leaders to listen after years of failed pledges and promises, and there’s no better way to do this than having a tantrum!”

The campaign is backed by an extensive and hard-hitting report which lays bare the challenges facing parents and children, and includes radical recommendations for urgent action by world leaders.

A global poll released by the charity in April found that the rising costs of nursery fees has forced one in five parents in the UK to quit their job or drop out of education.

More than three-quarters said they had been forced to make major financial changes, such as taking on more work and even cutting down on food spending, to deal with the rocketing costs of childcare.

Theirworld urges governments to act to make sure that every child has access to affordable, quality childcare. It also wants countries to invest in the key areas that a young child needs to thrive, such as good health, good nutrition, care and stimulation.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information, please contact Jaspur Heer, jaspur@theirworld.org 07539 566 459

About Theirworld

Theirworld is a global children’s charity committed to ending the global education crisis and unleashing the potential of the next generation. Its mission is to ensure that every child has the best start in life, a safe place to learn and the skills they need for the future.

The Act For Early Years report is here: https://actforearlyyears.org/report/

Learn more about the Global Tantrum here: Global Tantrum – Act for Early Years a Theirworld Campaign