Maternal health: UNFPA names Nollywood actress Stephanie Linus Ambassador

As part of its efforts to reduce maternal deaths in Africa through awareness creation among women and adolescent girls, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has announced popular and multiple award winning Nollywood actress, Stephanie Linus, as its Regional Ambassador for maternal health in West and Central Africa.

Linus, according to UNFPA Deputy Representative, Dr. Eugene Kongnyuy, was chosen based on her clear passion for women and children, in addition to her contribution to the nollywood industry which had endeared her to many.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos on Wednesday which was used by the Fund to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, Kongnyuy said the regional ambassador, representing 23 countries, will be an advocate for women and adolescent girls.

“She will be raising awareness on issues that affect their reproductive health and rights, while encouraging policies and laws that protect the right and dignity of the girl child and the critical investments needed for young people to fulfill their potential and for Africa to reap its demographic dividend.

“ There is need to raise awareness on these development issues, engage communities and advocate for women and girls at the policy and decision making levels” he said..

Apart from raising awareness, Kongnyuy revealed that investing in maternal health was the best investment any country can make because of its high yields and returns.

He explained: “Investing in maternal health is a smart investment; if you put one dollar in maternal health, it will yield 120 dollars. So, it is where the government should put its money, because it is yielding high returns.

In Nigeria, the country will be saving 1.5 billion dollars yearly by investing in maternal health. And it must start with family planning because access to family planning will prevent the death of 12,000 women and 100,000 children annually.”

According to him, the costs of not taking action now on maternal health would mean that poverty eradication efforts would be undermined, while economic growth will slow down, inequalities sustained, and countries will miss out on a vast source of human capital needed to take sustainable development forward in the 21st century.

In her acceptance speech, Linus, said;” It is a great honour for me to be given a chance to perform this role. I am honoured to partner with UNFPA to create an enabling environment for women, girls, and every young person to fulfill their potential.

“I will work closely with the Fund to draw attention to work that still needs to be done across the region to increase universal access to sexual reproductive health and information in order to stop women from dying in the course of bringing new life.”