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UNFPA AMBASSADOR STEPHANIE LINUS VISITS DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO ON INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END OBSTETRIC FISTULA

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As part of her commitment to raising awareness on maternal health
issues, the UNFPA Regional Ambassador for West and Central Africa Stephanie
Linus visited the Democratic Republic of Congo in commemoration of the
International Day to End Obstetrical Fistula.

The theme of this year’s commemoration was tagged “hope, healing and
dignity for all”, and it featured several activities aimed at giving hope to
girls and women around Africa. From 23rd to 25th May, Mrs. Linus participated
in a span of activities which included the screening of her award winning movie
‘DRY’, a private luncheon with African Ambassadors in the DRC and a visit to
women repaired of fistula at the Biamba Marie Motombo Hospital in Kinshasa.

While speaking to the Ambassadors, Mrs. Linus requested them to work
through their governments to do more for the girl child with emphasis on
education, ending child marriage, ending obstetric fistula, improving access to
health care.

The over 300-persons audience at the private viewing of DRY consisted of
African Ambassadors in the DRC, Donors, Regional Director of UNFPA for the East
and Southern Africa Region, UN heads of Agencies and Members of the Diplomatic
Corps, Ministers and High Ranking Government Officials, Young parliamentarians
of DRC, Representatives of International and National NGOs, Members of the
Civil Society and various media representatives.
During her address, Mrs Linus
declared that the theme of the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
“hope, healing and dignity for all” is food for thought and that it is time to
act and actively seek ways to do more to change unhealthy behaviors, to improve
health systems, and improve human rights for all. “Women should not die while
giving life. Girls have rights that need to be respected-education, decent
jobs, chose who to marry and when to have children and how many of them. Every
woman and girl has a right to be treated with respect and dignity”, she stated.

She challenged the audience to constantly ask themselves the question – What
is it that I can do more and do better?
Mrs. Linus also met young artists in the National Institute of Arts in
Kinshasa whom she encouraged to look around, pick up the issues that are
affecting the society and pass messages to end those ills through arts, music,
movie and drama.

Stephanie Linus was named the UNFPA Regional Ambassador in March 2017 in
recognition of her far reaching advocacy for the rights of girls and women. As
Regional Ambassador, Mrs. Linus will help advocate and raise awareness on maternal
health issues across Africa, whilst encouraging policies and laws that protect
the rights and dignity of the girl child.
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