Stephanie Linus partners with Canadian High Commission to empower African girls

Nollywood actress, Stephanie Linus who has been an advocate for issues concerning child brides has just partnered with the Canadian High Commission to free African women and girls from coercion, discrimination and violence.

Linus was a guest speaker at the ‘African Child Campaign’ organized by the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, Nigeriaon Thursday July 21, 2016.

Speaking alongside the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria,Perry John Calderwood under the theme

“Empowering African girls to reach their full potential by delaying marriage and staying in school”, she highlighted the efforts they have been employing to enable African women and girls reach their full potential, free from violence.

Speaking passionately about the need for educating the African child and how her award-winning movie 

“Dry” has been shifting conversations around the world, thereby shinning the spotlight on the African girl-child, she said, “as we watch this movie and as we discuss here today, let it be foremost in our minds that the education of girls, especially the most marginalized, is key to their survival & that of the future generation.”

 

The Canadian High Commissioner, Perry John Calderwood also reiterated the Canadian government’s commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, while highlighting some of their recent campaign efforts in Nigeria and other African countries.

Recently, Linus’ Extended Hands Foundation in conjunction with SNEPCo/NNPC helped 50 women formerly suffering from Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) by giving them a chance to live normal lives again.

The exercise was carried out at the Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development VVF Center in Gesse, Birin-Kebbi. pulse