Actor Stephanie Linus’s Extended Hands Foundation To Launch Maternal Health And Nutrition Initiative Africa In Partnership With George Washington University.
In a transformative collaboration, 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). This initiative is designed to address pressing maternal health and nutrition challenges in marginalized African communities, focusing on empowering women and improving health outcomes.
The partnership was officially launched after two screenings of Linus’s award-winning film, Dry, a powerful portrayal of a 13-year-old Nigerian child bride’s struggle with obstetric fistula. The film set the stage for an engaging panel discussion on maternal health, women’s rights, and the critical role of nutrition in enhancing healthcare systems in Africa. GW’s Global Food Institute and Global Women’s Institute co-hosted the event which included a powerful panel discussion.
Panelist includes: John Forrer (Director of GW’s Institute for Corporate Responsibility), Lauri J. Romanzi MD, MScPH, FACOG, FPMRS Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Global Jefferson & Jefferson College of Population Health, (Erin Mielke (Senior Technical Adviser for Reproductive Health at USAID), Stephanie Linus(Founder, Extended Hands) and Tara Scully(Director of Curriculum Development at GW’s Global Food Institute).
The Maternal Health and Nutrition Initiative Africa is a pivotal step toward addressing the maternal health crisis across Africa. By combining healthcare services with nutrition support and community-driven solutions, the initiative seeks to create lasting change for women and children in underserved communities.
