Stephanie Linus Daily

Tag: UNFPA

  • Stephanie Linus visits the US Capitol to Advocate for Improved Global Health for Women & Girls

    On Thursday March 30, Stephanie Linus acclaimed actress, filmmaker, and women and girls advocate was the featured speaker at a briefing at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

    The event, which was sponsored by Pathfinder International, Catalyst Global Strategies, What to Expect Project, UN Women, UNFPA, and Stephanie’s nonprofit organization, Extended Hands Foundation, highlighted how U.S. government- supported global health programs improve the lives of women and girls in the developing world in ways that extend beyond improving health outcomes. 

    As a UNFPA Regional Ambassador and founder of Extended Hands Foundation, Stephanie discussed her work with several gender-based awareness and intervention projects across the world.

    Stephanie led a discussion on how lack of health care access and overlapping areas of inequity keep girls out of school, limit educational opportunities, and keep them from living the lives they choose. 

    The briefing also included remarks by Lydia Murithi, Senior Global Technical and Strategy Advisor, Pathfinder International; Crystal Lander, Chief Strategic Engagement Officer, Pathfinder International; Annie Toro, President and CEO, What to Expect Project and Sarah Craven, Chief, Washington Office, UNFPA. The event was coordinated by Algene Sajery, CEO of Catalyst Global Strategies.

    More pictures:

  • UNFPA Nigeria Premieres the “Hey Woman” series in Abuja.

    To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 16 days of activism against Gender-based violence, UNFPA Nigeria premiered the “Hey Woman” drama series by Stephanie Linus in Abuja.

    During the launch, Dr. Natalia Kanem, the UN-Under Secretary General, encouraged victims of Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) to do away with shyness and speak up over their experiences to demand justice.

    “Victims of SGBV, do not be afraid or shy to speak up about your unfortunate experience to demand justice because the shame is that of the perpetrators and not yours.”

    She asked them to open-up to trusted people, and right authorities, especially security service institutions to demand justice on their behalf and protect them.

    Here are some of the short films that were launched to address Sexual and Gender Based Violence:

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Hey Woman Now Streaming @ Pan African Film & Arts Festival

    As part of the activities for the 2021 Women’s Month, the Pan African Film & Arts Festival is currently streaming Hey Woman.

    I’m extremely grateful for the awesome feedback and attention this monologue has received since its lunch.

    Supported by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Nigeria), Hey Woman is a captivating 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.

    For more information, visit Pan African Film Festival on Instagram or find out more on their website.

  • Photos From The Fistula Awareness Campaign In Maiduguri

    Actress and human rights advocate Stephanie Linus has once again demonstrated an unrelenting fight against fistula and child marriage with her recent fistula awareness campaign in Borno State. Using her award-winning movie – DRY as a tool to connect with her audience, the actress pushed forward a message of fistula prevention and protection of the basic rights of a girl child.

    The movie was screened at a secondary school in the state to young female and male students as well as their educators. Asides from being a tool of information and awareness, the movie elicited an emotional response from most of the young girls who were able to connect with the story of Halima, the young fistula patient in the movie. Following the screening, many of them resolved shared their personal experiences and resolved that they wanted to be like Dr Zara, the heroine in the movie who fought hard for the rights of the girl child.

    DRY, a Next Page Productions movie has been recognized across the world as a tool to speak against outdated cultural norms, prejudices and push the world to do more to empower women and girls with the freedom, education and equal rights they deserve. The movie has been translated into Hausa in order to reach many Northern Nigerian communities.

    This screening was supported by the UNFPA, an organization where Ms. Linus serves as a Regional Ambassador for Maternal Health in West and Central Africa.

    To watch DRY, simply CLICK HERE

  • Dear 16-Year-Old Me!

    So much has changed since I was 16. Obviously!

    The world is moving at a much faster pace now and 16-year-old teens are faced with a whole new set of influences and challenges as they navigate through their often confusing teenage lives.

    This video sums up a bit about my experiences as a teenager and what I wish to tell teenagers in this generation. It’s confusing out there, I know, but I hope this video helps you find your steps.

  • GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable

    Today, 11 October marks the International Day of the Girl.

    The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.

    Girls are not only moving from dreaming to achieving, girls are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities.

    As entrepreneurs, innovators and initiators of global movements, girls are creating a world that is relevant for them and future generations.

    Let’s commit to empowering girls and teaching them to believe in their dreams.

    A girl with a dream today can become a woman with a vision tomorrow.

    Girls are unscripted.
    Girls are unstoppable.
    Girls can do anything – and everything!