The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), a US-based International Agency, yesterday September 1st 2015, announced A-list actress, producer and director Stephanie Linus as the Ambassador for the ‘Stop Violence Against Women In Elections’ Campaign.
Her formal presentation as an ambassador took place yesterday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The event was attended by the Acting INEC Chairman Hajiya Amina Zakari, the former Deputy Governor of Plateau state Mrs Pauline Tallen, the NDI Country Director Jasper Veen, the Team Leader of Democracy and Governance USAID Blair King, a representative of the Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase amongst others.
Stop-VAWIE (Violence Against Women In Elections) Campaign is a project that seeks to create public awareness on various forms of violence against women before, during and after elections in Nigeria, which often militates their active participation in the electoral process.
This project which is funded by the USAID is an initiative of the NDI in partnership with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). Ahead of the Kogi and Bayelsa gubernatorial elections, Stephanie as an ambassador will create awareness around the project and elicit the support of different segments of society to report cases of violence against women and bring an end to this menace.
Stephanie, who is very passionate about the cause and happy to be an ambassador, pledged her full support to the campaign.
“I pledge my full support, my voice and everything within my capacity to make sure that these issues are brought to light and to help educate people about this violence and see ways we can put an end to it so that we can have a better society for ourselves and the future generation.”