Stephanie Linus Daily

Category: Features

  • 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

    In commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, I’m using this opportunity to once again speak out against this depressing scourge. According to data from the World Health Organization, 1 in 3 women (around 736 million) are subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner.

    If you look at three random young girls, there is a possibility that one of them might have experienced some form of sexual violence or will do before her mid-twenties. It is a heart-breaking thought but one that must be considered as violence against women has become a major public health crisis.

    To lend our voice to this campaign, please check out our Extended Hands Foundation Instagram page for updates and resources in addressing sexual and gender-based violence.

    The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

    And while we’re still on this topic, let’s recap the “Hey Woman” monologue which creatively addresses the various distressing thoughts that cripple a woman’s mind in the face of abuse and oppression. It is an anthem of encouragement and unity among women and men.

  • Sundays Are For Reflection

    Happy Sunday Amazonians and Warlords!

    I don’t know about you, but I love Sundays! Sunday is the perfect day to turn down the noise of everyday life and enjoy the moment you’re in, while also preparing yourself mentally for the week ahead. For most people, it is a day off from work, a day to just take it easy. Be it one day or two days or even a couple of hours you get for yourself, consider that as your me time to sit back and reflect.

    So, I hope you take this day to sit back and reflect on all the blessings that you have received. Smile at all the good things that you are enjoying.

    Think of all the things that happened over the week, both good and bad. Think of all that you have planned to do next week. Make a resolution to do things better in the coming week. This way you set positive vibes for the next week.

    I hope you have a beautiful day of reflection and a splendid week ahead!

  • Creative Habits To Start Your Morning On A Good Note

    The way you start your day will have a profound impact on the quality of your life. I find that how I experience the first few minutes of the day, just after I open my eyes, can strongly influence how I feel for the rest of the day.

    There’s a saying that goes “It’s not how you start it’s how you finish”. The tone of your morning will determine the tone of your day, so it’s time to start planning accordingly.

    Your mornings can be better, more energetic, and more productive. You just need to know how to start your day off on a positive and motivational note, and I have eight tips to help you do just that.

    Let The Light In
    This can be tricky for some people, but if you find yourself sluggish in the mornings, I recommend not having blackout blinds. The reason is that letting the light enter your bedroom naturally helps to slowly break down melatonin, easing you awake.

    Do A Short Exercise Session
    Exercise is great for your mental and physical performance, and you only need to do 10 minutes to start making a difference.

    Write In Your Journal
    A very creative thing to do in the morning to start your day off right is to do a brain dump or write morning pages. Many creators have spoken about the benefits of writing early in the morning. Your mind is still clear, and by poking the right part of your brain (that answers for creativity), you open yourself to new ideas, resolutions and intuitive decisions.

    Say Out Loud Positive Affirmations
    This stuff works I promise you. They empower you to feel awesome and that you’re good enough. You control your thoughts; please make them good ones. The affirmations said out loud emphasizes it to your brain.

    Plan Out Your Day in Advance
    If there is one thing that ruins a morning, it is trying to figure out what you need to accomplish that day. When your mind is groggy and you just want five more minutes’ sleep, you can’t properly process what needs to be done.

    Eat A Good And Well-balanced Breakfast
    Consider eating a little something for breakfast. A mix of carbohydrates and protein will give you a sufficient amount of energy in order to stay alert and productive until lunchtime.

  • Building Back Together for Peace and Prosperity

    United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the UN Charter entered into force. UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify our common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 76 years. Usually held in the General Assembly Hall of the Organization, at Headquarters in New York, a concert is held to mark UN Day.

    As the UNFPA Regional Ambassador for Maternal Health in West and Central Africa, I’m proud to celebrate with the United Nations on this special day. The world is gradually recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the 2021 Concert represents a call to strengthen international cooperation in the interest of both nations and peoples, for a more peaceful and prosperous future for all.

  • Our Actions Are Our Future

    Today is World Food Day 2021, another great opportunity to remind ourselves that our actions are our future and the future is in our hands!

    The way we produce, consume and, sadly, waste food exacts a heavy toll on our planet, putting unnecessary pressure on natural resources, the environment and climate.

    But, thankfully, solutions exist.

    We need to influence what is produced by increasing our demand for sustainably produced nutritious foods, and at the same time be more sustainable in our daily actions, first and foremost by reducing food loss and waste. We also have the responsibility to spread the word, building awareness about the importance of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

    #WorldFoodDay #WorldFoodDay2021

  • Life Is Full Of Surprises | Photos From My Surprise Birthday Party

    Planning is useful, but the most interesting times in life come from moments that catch you by surprise. If you try to plan every step, you may miss those wonderful twists ad turns.

    I’ve come to understand and accept that life is full of surprises; some good, some not so good. You never know what could happen the next day or who you are going to meet that will change your life forever. But one thing remains sure: staying positive and handing over your affairs to God will make a world of difference.

    It is amazing where God will take you when you are willing to follow. So I encourage you today to embrace surprises.

    And talking about surprises, my favorite person in the world planned one for me recently to celebrate my birthday and I’m still basking in the euphoria of that memorable occasion! Big thank you to my hubby for such a beautiful and thoughtful surprise party that I didn’t even know I needed, and to my amazing family and friends who showered me with so much love on my special day.

    Check out some pictures from my recent surprise birthday party:

  • Describe Gender Based Violence In One Word

    Violence against women and girls is an unacceptable violation of basic human rights. It is so widespread that ending it must be a global public health priority.

    As a woman and someone blessed to have a platform, I made it my life’s goal to advocate for causes such as this. But the truth is, we all play a key role in standing up against violence, as men and women, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters. No one can tackle it alone. All must reach for shared dignity, mutual respect and a renewed commitment to end violence against women and girls.

    The statistics say that worldwide, an estimated one in three women will experience physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime. But it seems like it’s so much more than that! In today’s world, it seems like 2 out of every 3 women have experienced GBV! It knows no social, economic or national boundaries.

    So, as we continue to seek solutions to this scourge, let’s have a discussion about it.

    Have you directly or indirectly experienced GBV? Do you know anyone that has experienced it? How would you describe Gender Based Violence in one word?


  • Hey Woman! A Wakeup Call For Women

    A beautiful thing happens when people unite for a common cause. We harness the power of our unique strengths and tap into immense possibilities.

    On this special International Women’s Day, I’m calling on everyone to raise our voices against the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence. The impact affects us all – women, men, children, the society. We cannot continue to sit on the sidelines. If we don’t confront this harmful cycle, we would be left with a wounded society.

    I created this anthem of encouragement, sisterhood and unity among men and women as a wakeup call to us all. What hurts one, hurts all. The time to act is now! It is up to you and I to unite against all forms of inequality and gender-based violence by saying enough is enough!

    This monologue is supported by UNFPA Nigeria.

  • Advocating For Wildlife Conservation: I’m Now A WildAid Celebrity Ambassador

    In furthering my environmental activism cause, I’ve recently joined an unrivaled portfolio of celebrity ambassadors at WildAid to help raise public awareness of the impacts of illegal wildlife trade in Africa. The focus this time around is on wildlife conservation and efforts to reduce climate change impacts.

    I’m grateful for the opportunity to pass on the message of preserving the incredible species that live in our natural world. By conserving wildlife, we’re ensuring that future generations can enjoy a healthy and functional ecosystem. I’m proud to be joining an organization that is not only thinking of solutions to benefit us now, but for the future.”

    WildAid works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products and to increase local support for conservation efforts. The organization also works with governments and partners to protect fragile marine reserves from illegal fishing and shark finning, to enhance public and political will for anti-poaching efforts, and to reduce climate change impacts.

    WildAid has a global network of ambassadors, partners, supporters and contributors all working to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes.

  • From Waste To Wealth: Let’s Recycle Plastics & Save Our Environment

    As we draw closer to the festive season, I’m encouraging increased recycling of plastic waste which happens to be an incredibly significant cause of environmental and health hazards in our communities.

    With more than 32 million metric tonnes of waste generated in Nigeria annually, and a disturbing habit of improper disposal of this waste, there is an urgent need to address this problem. As a strong advocate for proper environmental protection, I’m encouraging Nigerians to embrace recycling as a means of turning bottles, packaging and other post consumer packaging waste into new products. We can prevent ourselves from harming our environment and needlessly overfilling our landfills by simply giving up our plastic waste for recycling.

    The Christmas holiday season is usually characterized by increased generation of waste especially plastic waste across the country. From individually packaged food servings to beverage bottles, more plastic waste is generated during this season than ever before. In this season, I hope people lean more towards recycling as a means of proper disposal of plastic waste.

    In addition to the benefits of protecting our environment, recycling plastics helps us conserve natural resources and creates new economic opportunities for our population. For easier participation, interested residents are encouraged to register with a recycling venture near you or take the plastic waste to a drop-off site within your community. 

    As consumers, we play a more critical role than we can imagine. Recycling makes a huge difference to our environment, our quality of life, and our country’s future.