GW, Stephanie Linus partner to tackle maternal health in Africa

The George Washington University’s Institute for Corporate Responsibility has partnered with Nigerian actress and humanitarian Stephanie Linus and her Extended Hands Foundation to launch the Maternal Health and Nutrition Initiative Africa (MaHNIA).

The transformative initiative aims to tackle critical maternal health and nutrition challenges in underserved African communities, with a focus on empowering women and improving health outcomes.

The official launch of the partnership was marked by two screenings of Linus’s award-winning film, Dry, which depicts the harrowing journey of a 13-year-old Nigerian child bride suffering from obstetric fistula.

The screenings were followed by a panel discussion that explored maternal health, women’s rights, and the importance of nutrition in strengthening healthcare systems across Africa. The event was co-hosted by GW’s Global Food Institute and Global Women’s Institute.

The panel featured distinguished speakers, including:

John Forrer, Director of GW’s Institute for Corporate Responsibility

Dr. Lauri J. Romanzi, Global Jefferson and Jefferson College of Population Health

Erin Mielke, Senior Technical Adviser for Reproductive Health at USAID

Stephanie Linus, Founder of Extended Hands Foundation

Tara Scully, Director of Curriculum Development at GW’s Global Food Institute

Through MaHNIA, the partnership seeks to address the maternal health crisis in Africa by integrating healthcare services, nutrition programs, and community-driven solutions. It aims to reduce maternal and child mortality rates while fostering sustainable improvements in health and nutrition within marginalized communities.

Speaking at the event, Stephanie Linus highlighted the initiative’s transformative potential, saying, “Women in Africa face numerous health and social challenges, and this initiative is a step toward empowering them to live healthier, fuller lives.”