Stephanie Linus, our founder, answers some important questions on WOMEN’S DAY by Extended Hands Foundation:
We wish every woman on every strata of life a March towards HAPPINESS!
xoxo
Tag: International Women’s Day
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10 POWERFUL QUOTES FOR WOMEN
Today is International Women’s Day. According to United Nations, this year’s theme is: “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for gender equality”
How to spend the day? Hold conversations with colleagues, friends, family and allies on the benefit of equality. And don’t forget to reach out to the women who inspire you.
Here are 10 quotes for this special day:
*This day belongs to you. May you prosper and stand firm in the course of life. Happy International Women’s Day
*She is a Dreamer, she is a believer, she is a doer, she is an achiever, and that she is “You”. Happy Women’s Day.
*Sure, God created man before woman. But then you always make a rough draft before the final masterpiece.
*You are the creator, the destroyer of evil, you are the saint and you are the guide. Life without you would have been impossible. This is the day to celebrate God’s best and most beautiful creation. Happy Women’s day.
*Women are the epitome of courage, hope, and life. Let us take a pledge this Women’s Day that we will make the world a much better place for them.
*Here’s to strong women, may we raise our daughters to be them, may we become them, Happy Women’s Day!!
*A woman who is determined to rise can never be defeated. May you find all the courage to rise, Happy Women’s Day!
*Never let your fears of the society prevent you from realising your full potential. Happy Women’s Day!
* “Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world.” –Hillary Clinton
*“What’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.” –Rupi Kaur
xoxo
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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.
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WOW! I Made The NPR’s List Of Names We’d Like To See When We Google ‘Women Changing The World’
I feel so humbled right now.
In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, NPR.org put together a list of some amazing global women in an article titled: Names We’d Like To See When We Google ‘Women Changing The World’.
It really humbled me to find out I made the list, and I’m so grateful to the organisation and many others who appreciate our work. Through the movie, DRY, and the Extended Hands Foundation, we have been working to raise awareness about the negative effect of poor maternal health and early marriage such as Vesico Vaginal Fistula. Also, through the support of donor organisations, we have repaired some women in different communities who have been living with this condition. We are not relenting in our work, and recognitions like this go a long way in encouraging us.
According to NPR, the list is comprised of “some of the unsung women making strides in the developing world. Maybe in a few years they’ll top Google’s lists of women changing the world in ways large and small.”
Here’s what they had to say about me:
Stephanie Linus, filmmaker
Linus, 33, a Nigerian filmmaker and actor, created a Nollywood movie called DRY about obstetric fistula — a hole between the vagina and bladder (or rectum in some cases) that can result from prolonged obstructed labor in childbirth, leaving a woman unable to control her bodily waste. Some 2 million women are affected worldwide. Surgery can help but is not always an option, since many of the women affected are poor. She hopes her film educates the world about the problem, and she’s raising money for the Extended Hands Foundation, which she set up to support surgical help.
Other women who were profiled on the list include: Dr. Odontuya Davaasuren, a doctor and professor; Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a documentary filmmaker who won the Oscar for best documentary, short subject, for A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness and Garmai Sumo, a nurse in Liberia who works with children orphaned by the deadly virus.
CLICK HERE to see the full list and read the stories of these amazing women.
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A Strong Woman Is….
We all look up to strong, independent women. But how do we become one ourselves?
Its easy to give in to feelings of self-doubt and back down from challenges. But that’s certainly not what being a strong woman is all about.
As we celebrate the International Women’s Day today, I am reminded of the qualities of a strong woman and encourage us all to stay strong always:
A strong woman is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely.
Her tears flow just as abundantly as her laughter…A strong woman is both soft and powerful
She is both practical and spiritual…A strong woman in her essence is a gift to the world…
A strong woman builds her own world.
She is one who is wise enough to know that it will attract the man she will gladly share it with.A strong woman is one who is able to smile in the morning, like she wasn’t crying last night.
A stong woman become strong because of the pain she has faced and won
A woman with a voice, is by definition, a strong woman!
What is your definition of a strong woman?
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10 Special Women’s Day Messages To Send To That Lovely Woman
Have you wished that woman around you a Happy International Women’s Day today?
If you’re thinking why should I? It’s because every woman needs to feel loved and special for the roles they play as mothers, wives, sisters, grandmothers, sister in-laws, mother in-laws and more in the society. Women’s Day may not be as widely celebrated as Christmas Day, but it is still a day we should show love and appreciation.
Just in case you’re wondering how you can do that, a simple text message, chat, email or note would do. And I’m here to help you out with some ideas.
1. Women have strengths that amazes man.. She can handle trouble & carry heavy burdens.. She holds happiness, love & opinions.. And she will always smile when she feels like screaming. Happy Women’s Day.
2. Across the miles comes this wish from me to say you are Special! Happy Women’s Day.
3. You can do almost anything your mind to.. You can swim the deepest ocean and climb the highest peak.. Be a doctor or fly a plane.. You can face adversity and still walk tall. You are strong, beautiful, compassionate and much more than words could ever say! Today is yours and so is every other day.. Happy Women’s Day.
4. Through the years, I have shared so much with you, both bitter and sweet. You have been such a comfort to me, helping me in every way, and all I wanna say today is: Sis, I treasure you close to my heart. Happy Women’s Day!
5. We may not be able to see each other or listen to each other often. But thoughts of you fill my heart with fond memories of the times we have spent together. Thinking of you! Happy Womens Day sweetheart.
6. You are the passion, You are the mystery, You are the magic! Happy Women’s Day to the most Special woman of my life.
7. Some people can make happiness bloom just by saying just by being what they are. You’re one of them. Happy Women’s Day!
8. On this special day, celebrate life. Take a break from your busy schedule. Let your hair down, have fun and do what your heart says. Cause today is your day. Have a great Women’s Day!
9. A beautiful woman, a great friend and a wonderful mother. You are all this to me and much more.. I feel so lucky and proud to have a mom like you. Happy Women’s Day to Mother!
10. For all the times you’ve brought a smile and made my days seem brighter. For sharing ups and downs with me and making my burdens lighter. For doing the caring things that make a special friend. Your friendship is a joy. I wish it never ends! Happy Women’s Day!
Which one is your favourite? Which message best describes that special woman in your life?
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Make It Happen! Happy International Women’s Day 2015
I feel so proud to be a woman right now, and I congratulate every woman reading this today.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Sunday 8 March 2015 marks International Women’s Day, an annual event that celebrates women’s accomplishments and promotes global gender equality.
This year’s theme is ‘make it happen’ and aims to encourage effective action for advancing and recognizing women. It focuses on women in different professional sectors; the arts, female-owned businesses, in senior leadership roles, and all aspects of working environments where gender parity has still not been achieved.
I am very glad about this year’s theme, and it comes at the right time. As women, we need to strive even more to make things happen in our chosen fields. In our families, our businesses, our careers, in leadership…. we need to aim for the best always.
To every woman out there reading this, I say, make it happen!
*I have a question for every woman reading this. What makes you proud to be a woman?
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#WomenIssues: Violence Against Women
Violence Against Women is a monster in the society. There is no better way I could put it. This type of violence is gender-based, meaning that the acts of violence are committed against women expressly because they are women and this makes it even more sad.
Not only is it a grave violation of human rights, its impact ranges from immediate to long-term multiple physical, sexual and mental consequences for women and girls, including death. It negatively affects women’s general well-being and prevents women from fully participating in society.
Violence Against Women takes many forms including physical, sexual, emotional, and mental. Common forms of violence against women in Nigeria are rape, molestation, battering, and corporal punishment, among others. The list is endless.
Let me remind you of these shocking statistics according to the World Health Organisation:
- Recent global prevalence figures indicate that 35% of women worldwide have experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
- On average, 30% of women who have been in a relationship report that they have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence by their partner.
- Globally, as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner.
- Violence can result in physical, mental, sexual, reproductive health and other health problems, and may increase vulnerability to HIV.
The sad situation is compounded by discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, sexual identity, social status, class, and age. Many cultural practices and multiple forms of discrimination restrict women’s choices, increase their vulnerability to violence and make it even harder for women to obtain justice.
This month is the women’s month, and very soon, we’d be marking the International Women’s Day. In the light of this, I want to point out that while there are many ways we can help curb this social menace, one important thing we should put more effort on is enlightenment. Our women need to be enlightened and educated about their rights. Many times, women stay in abusive relationships and endure different forms of violence because they feel they deserve it. This is totally wrong!
Violence against women is a violation of human rights that cannot be justified by any political, religious, or cultural claim. Let’s spread the word today!
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#WomenIssues: Human Trafficking/Sex Slavery
The month of March is regarded worldwide as Women’s Month. This is primarily because the International Women’s Day falls on March 8th, a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. Also, in the United States of America, March is regarded as the Women’s History Month.
This month therefore, I’d like us to discuss some important issues we face as women, with the hope of finding lasting solutions to them.
Human trafficking affects women, men and children. But the primary victims worldwide are women and female children, the majority of whom are trafficked for sexual exploitation.
Trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. Sex trafficking is the exploitation of women and children, within national or across international borders, for the purpose of forced sex work. Adult women make up the largest group of sex trafficking victims, followed by female children.
I could go on and on defining trafficking and sex slavery or giving statistics on them. But what I want to point out today is that women do not voluntarily put themselves in situations where they are exploited, beaten, raped and enslaved. Women do not traffic themselves. Criminals who recruit, buy and sell women and girls are the crucial intermediaries for delivering women into prostitution and other harmful practices. They use force, coercion, seduction, deception, and any other techniques that are effective in controlling the women and girls they are trading.
My call today is to parents and guardians of female children. I know it can get really hard taking care of children. Many times, poverty and economic hardship doesn’t make the situation better as parents and guardians are forced to make decisions on behalf of the girl child that would have a huge negative impact on them. We need to protect that girl child, and when I say ‘we’, I don’t mean just the parents and guardians, but the entire nation.
The harm of sexual exploitation extends from the individual to the community and to the nation. It might not have happened to someone you know, but we cannot ignore it. When a country permits sexual exploitation or trafficking to flourish, a certain portion of each generation of young women will be lost.
It is a collective responsibility which we must all have a part of in our own little way. A small gift, a good advice, a short prayer, a little donation, a token of our love might be all it takes to rewrite someone’s destiny.
Let’s protect the girl child.
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Photos from Vlisco Women’s Month Award Night in Ghana
As the face of this year’s International Women’s Day campaign for Vlisco’s Dare to Dream Campaign, I was honoured to be part of some events that celebrates women and their achievement.
Following the Vlisco Women’s Month Award Night which took place in Lagos on Sunday 30th March 2014, I headed off to Accra, Ghana for the Ghana edition of the event where I was the co-host.
Big congratulations to Eugenia Tachie-Menson, a social entrepreneur best known for bringing the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Ghana, (the first in Africa) who won the Award for Ghana. (more…)