NGOs Sensitise Benue Women, Girls On Menopause

A non-governmental organisation, OKaha Women and Children Development Organisation, Voices of Change and FOS Feminista, have pledged renewed commitment to sustain campaigns on women and girls’ menstrual and menopausal hygiene.

The executive director of OKaha Women and Children Development Organisation, Joy Ijuwo who made the pledge in Makurdi during a meeting on menstrual and menopausal health organised for civil society organisations and media practitioners, said her organisation had been making efforts to empower women through menstrual and menopausal health education to enhance the health, dignity and well-being of women across all ages.

Ijuwo said as agent of change that shape public narratives and amplify important messages, the media owed it a duty to be at the fore front of championing campaigns against misinformation and unhealthy cultural beliefs surrounding women menstrual and menopausal circle.

She said as custodians of knowledge and information, the media was a veritable tool for shaping perceptions and breaking long-standing taboos around women menstrual circle.

Ijuwo expressed optimism that through collective efforts of her organisation and other development partners, misinformation and harmful norms about menstrual and menopausal circle can be challenged by encouraging open conversations and advocate for better access to information, healthcare services and support systems.

In her remarks, the state commissioner for women affairs and social welfare, Theresa Ikwe represented by Mimi Dughna, commended Ijuwo for sustaining campaign on women and girls’ menstrual circle.