Men supporting menstrual health can help replace silence with understanding in homes, places of worship and traditional institutions. That principle guided OWACDO’s Men’s Engagement Review Meeting, held in Makurdi on 12 June 2026.
With support from Fòs Feminista through the Sang Pour Sang Project, the meeting brought together male allies, traditional leaders and religious leaders to review progress and strengthen their commitment to the health, rights and dignity of women and girls.
Reviewing change in homes and communities
Participants examined how their engagement had influenced conversations about menstrual and menopausal health. They described more open discussion in families and communities, stronger support for girls to remain in school and greater confidence among women speaking about their health experiences.
These changes matter because stigma is often reinforced through silence. When respected men discuss menstruation and menopause without ridicule, they help create permission for women and girls to ask questions, seek support and manage their health with dignity.
How male allies are using their influence
Leaders shared first-hand examples of speaking in palaces, churches, mosques and family settings. Their role is not to speak over women, but to challenge harmful beliefs, encourage respectful dialogue and remove social barriers that prevent women and girls from receiving support.
The review also recognised that lasting change requires consistency. A single public statement can open a conversation, but repeated messages and supportive everyday behaviour are what reshape community expectations.
A stronger pledge for health, rights and dignity
The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge from community gatekeepers to keep leading conversations on menstrual health, menopausal health and dignity. Their commitment extends the reach of OWACDO’s work beyond formal sessions and into the institutions that shape daily attitudes.
By engaging men as accountable allies, OWACDO is helping communities move from private discomfort to informed support. That shift can protect dignity, improve access to reliable information and make schools, households and community spaces more responsive to the needs of women and girls.