Menstrual and menopausal health education in Benue is becoming more accessible through OWACDO’s Voices of Change programme, supported by Fòs Feminista under the Sang Pour Sang Project.
OWACDO established 22 women’s groups across Makurdi and Guma Local Government Areas, each involving 40 women aged 35 and above. Together, the groups create structured safe spaces for 880 women to learn, share experiences and discuss health questions that are too often treated with silence.
Local groups make difficult conversations easier
Community sessions in Kanshio and with the Living Waters Women on Naka Road illustrate how the programme works. Participants meet in familiar settings, build trust over time and explore menstrual and menopausal health with facilitators who encourage respectful discussion.
Women who began as quiet listeners have increasingly become confident contributors. They share personal experiences, challenge misconceptions and support peers who may otherwise feel alone or embarrassed by the changes they are experiencing.
Moving from myths to reliable information
The programme addresses stigma around menstruation and the knowledge gaps that surround menopause. Participants consider common symptoms and experiences, the value of seeking reliable health advice, and the importance of responding with understanding rather than judgement.
OWACDO later extended these messages through a 90-day social-media campaign. The campaign reinforced that menopause is a natural stage of life, emotional changes deserve support and men also have a role in creating informed, respectful households.
Knowledge that continues through the community
Voices of Change is designed to multiply impact. Participants are encouraged to take accurate information back to families, neighbours and community groups, helping replace harmful assumptions with practical support.
The 22-group network demonstrates how community-based education can restore dignity while strengthening women’s voices. As the programme continues, OWACDO is building a wider culture in which menstruation and menopause can be discussed openly, respectfully and without discrimination.