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 Maiduguri,
Borno State. Using her award-winning movie – DRY as a tool to educate young
girls and women, the actress pushed forward her message for fistula prevention
and child rights protection.
Obstetric fistula is a severe condition that has devastating consequences for
women and young girls. It is prevalent in poor countries, communities with high
number of child brides and among women who give birth without access to medical
help. If a woman’s labor becomes obstructed, she could remain in excruciating
pain for days before her baby is finally dislodged. Her baby likely dies, and
she is often left with an obstetric fistula, a small hole created by constant
pressure from the foetus, which renders her incontinent. A woman with fistula
constantly leaks urine, feaces or both. Stephanie’s goal is to eradicate
fistula in Africa.
The program was supported by the UNFPA, where Ms. Linus serves as Regional
Ambassador for Maternal Health in West and Central Africa.
