UNFPA: Appoints Stephanie Linus Regional Ambassador

Yesterday, The United Nations Population Fund appointed Nigerian actress, producer and activist, Stephanie Linus as their Regional Ambass...

Yesterday, The United Nations Population Fund appointed Nigerian actress, producer and activist, Stephanie Linus as their Regional Ambassador for West and Central Africa.

Her appointment is a result of the continual display of interest and passion for women’s rights and health. For instance through her foundation Extended Hands, extensive work in the field of fistula has been carried out. She also executive produced a movie title DRY, that tells a true life story about a 10 year old child bride who died due to Fistula.

Stephanie had this to say about her appointment;

“It is my aspiration that access to reproductive health care for women and girls, especially family planning, will be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for,”

“Fought for, not just because of equality, but because we are tired of women dying while giving birth, tired of teenage girls dropping out of school because they got pregnant too early, tired of women not having a choice to decide if, when and how many children they wish to have. I know I am tired of this. This is why I feel honoured to partner with UNFPA and to use my network to make these issues widely known.”

Mabingue Ngom, yhe Regional of UNFPA West and Central Africa had this to say:

“For UNFPA, improving the health and status of women and girls remains a priority, and we will continue to accelerate efforts, by building strategic partnerships to scale-up successful interventions that put young people first”.

“Our ultimate aim is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled”.

As a Regional Ambassador, Stephanie will help advocate and raise awareness on these issues whilst encouraging policies and laws geared towards protecting the rights and dignity of the girl child and the critical investment s needed for young people to fulfill their potention and for Africa to reap it demographic dividend.

See pics from the event below