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Okaha Women and Children Development Organisation - Owacdo, No 6 Victor Malu New GRA, Makurdi (2026)

16/09/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐆𝐁𝐕 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞

OWACDO participated in the Joint Meeting of the Benue State SGBV Response Team and GBV Technical Working Group (TWG) held on 21 August 2026 at Doo Palace Hotel, Makurdi, under the EU Support to End SGBV (ESGBV) Programme in partnership with International IDEA

The meeting brought together government MDAs, development partners, CSOs and other stakeholders to strengthen coordination and institutional mechanisms for preventing and responding to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Benue State.

Key discussions focused on clarifying the roles of the GBV TWG and SGBV Response Team, reviewing their Terms of Reference and Action Plan, and strengthening collaboration between both structures.

Participants agreed that while the two structures will maintain distinct mandates, they will work as complementary mechanisms to improve coordination, communication and response to SGBV.

The meeting also adopted the GBV Response Team Terms of Reference and Action Plan, with follow-up actions scheduled ahead of the next meeting in October 2026.

OWACDO remains committed to supporting coordinated, inclusive and effective approaches to GBV prevention and response in Benue State.

15/09/2026

𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐞.

Through the Voices of Change initiative, we are advancing menstrual and menopausal health education to ensure safe spaces, zero shame, and reliable access to products.

It’s time to end the silence and demand dignity. Together for a .

13/09/2026

𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐘 | 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐥 & 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡

As part of the FOS Feminista-funded project on Voices of Change: Empowering women through menstrual and menopausal health education, OWACDO held a one-day stakeholders' engagement for religious and traditional leaders from Makurdi and Guma LGAs in Benue State.

The engagement focused on 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞, while equipping them with knowledge to better support women and girls in their communities.

Participants explored menstrual hygiene management, cultural beliefs and myths, menopause, sexually transmitted infections and the importance of creating supportive spaces where women and girls can discuss their health without shame or stigma.

A key highlight of the engagement was the 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞, where religious and traditional leaders committed to becoming advocates for menstrual dignity and taking accurate health messages back to their communities.

By engaging community leaders, we are strengthening the voices that can help change perceptions, challenge harmful misconceptions and make menstrual and menopausal health conversations more open and inclusive.

💜 𝑻𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒎𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚.

11/09/2026

No shame, No silence. Just knowledge, understanding and support.
Let's make menopause a conversation.

10/09/2026

𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐁𝐕

As part of efforts to strengthen community awareness, prevention, and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the Benue State Technical Working Group (TWG) on GBV embarked on a sensitization and awareness visit to 𝐀𝐧𝐤𝐩𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.

Directed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the engagement brought together members of the State GBV TWG, including 𝐎𝐊𝐀𝐇𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐂𝐃𝐎), alongside other Civil Society Organisations, community stakeholders, and residents.

The sensitization focused on key issues surrounding GBV, including its different forms, risk factors, prevention strategies, available support services, and appropriate reporting channels.

Community members were encouraged to take collective responsibility in preventing violence, protecting survivors, promoting dignity and respect, and creating a safe and supportive environment for women, girls, and other vulnerable members of the community.

More than 𝟖𝟎 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 actively participated in the engagement, contributing to discussions, asking questions, and sharing perspectives on preventing and responding to GBV within their community.

The visit further strengthened engagement between the Benue State GBV TWG and Ankpa Wadata Community, creating space for dialogue, learning, and shared commitment towards addressing GBV.

As a member of the TWG, OWACDO remains committed to supporting coordinated, community-based interventions that promote GBV prevention, survivor-centred response, accountability, and safer communities across Benue State.

Together, we can speak up, take action, and end GBV.

08/09/2026

𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

Since 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭, OWACDO and Women for Women International have been building something powerful in 𝐈𝐜𝐡𝐰𝐚, 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐢, 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞.

We launched 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 - 𝐕𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐬 using the WfWI-licensed curriculum.
For many women in rural communities, the biggest barrier to growing a business isn't lack of skill.
It's lack of access.
Access to safe savings.
Access to affordable, flexible credit.
Access to a system they can trust.

That's what VSLAs provide.
A 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 where women can:
𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 together
𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 affordably to invest in their businesses
𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰 their income
𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 long-term financial resilience

The result? Women are expanding businesses, supporting their families, and creating more stable futures. One savings group at a time.
Proud of the women of Ichwa leading this change ❤️

07/09/2026

𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝

Another milestone in our Stronger Women, Stronger Nations (SWSN) program: 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲.

For the women in our program, math isn't just numbers.
It's knowing how to calculate costs.
It's measuring materials correctly.
It's tracking sales and protecting profit.

When a woman understands her numbers, she turns a skill into a sustainable business. She avoids losses. She grows. And she builds a more secure future for her family.

𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱, 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱 💪

07/09/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐲 3 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧-𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐔 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐂𝐓𝐔 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬.

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria's social protection landscape, OWACDO, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria and with funding from the European Union (EU) through the ESSPIN project, successfully concluded the 3-Day Capacity Building Training for SOCU and SCTU Staff on Stakeholder Engagement, Evidence-Based Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation to increase financing of their operations.

The final day focused extensively on domestic resource mobilization and strategic budget advocacy. Participants explored legislative strategies to commit specific state budgetary allocations to social protection and evaluated frameworks for private sector engagement to expand the fiscal envelope. Furthermore, attendees were equipped to present social protection as a high-yield economic investment to state leadership, demonstrating how empowering vulnerable households stimulates local economies and generates long-term developmental returns.

To add to the extensive knowledge acquired over the past three days, SOCU and SCTU were split into technical working groups to draft comprehensive, state-specific Action Plans for Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement that will be achievable and impactful. These strategic frameworks were subsequently presented for review and adoption.

We extend our profound commendation to our esteemed ILO Master Trainers, Prof. Naomi Doki and Dr. David Aki, for their exceptional expertise, energy, and highly practical sessions. All participants unanimously attested that the capacity-building program was profoundly impactful, deeply engaging, and an all-round success. Crucially, participants signed a formal commitment to follow through with the implementation of all agreed-upon plans.

The event was officially brought to a close with formal remarks delivered by the Permanent Secretary of the Benue State Budget and Economic Planning Commission, Mr. Orinya Ogenyi. He reaffirmed the state's steadfast commitment to evidence-based social protection interventions and charged all participants to translate this newfound knowledge into concrete actions that will sustainably improve the lives of our people.

The real work begins now as we take ownership to ensure no vulnerable household is left behind.

05/09/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧-𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐔 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐂𝐓𝐔 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬.

Led by our Trainers, Prof. Naomi Onjeye Doki and Dr. David Terfa Akighir, today’s sessions moved beyond theory into highly interactive, hands-on exercises. We kicked off with an engaging Stakeholder Mapping session where participants utilized a Power vs. Interest grid to categorize key local actors. By analyzing these relationships and integration levels, our teams learned exactly how to tailor their engagement strategies for maximum impact.

To sharpen our state-level messaging, we took a deep dive into Evidence-Based Policy Advocacy. The facilitators broke down the crucial distinctions between broad Social Protection (for everyone), targeted Social Assistance (for the poor and vulnerable), and Social Insurance. This clarity is essential for crafting compelling, accurate narratives.

The absolute highlight of the day was a dynamic, immersive role-play session. Participants were challenged to pitch actual social protection initiatives to team members acting as State Governors, Legislators, and Traditional Rulers. It was an incredible way to practice real-world negotiation, navigate pushback, and test strategies for securing high-level government commitment.

We wrapped up by sharing field experiences and brainstorming the foundational elements for our state-specific Action Plans. We had very engaging and impactful sessions today and are more than ready to finalize tomorrow.

04/09/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦! 🇳🇬

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria's social protection landscape, OWACDO, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria and with funding from the European Union (EU) through the ESSPIN project, successfully commenced Day 1 of the 3-Day Capacity Building Training for SOCU and SCTU Staff on Stakeholder Engagement, Evidence-Based Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation to increase financing of their operations.

The day began with a tone-setting session led by OWACDO's Programs Manager, Queen Ameh. Our Executive Director, Dr. Joy Ijuwo, then delivered a powerful welcome address, emphasizing the critical need for sustained state financing and strategic partnerships to ensure the survival and expansion of the National Social Register (NSR). We also received inspiring goodwill messages from ActionAid Nigeria, presented by Mfon Etim Blessed, alongside key stakeholders including the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Benue NGO Network (BENGONET), Benue State Budget and Economic Planning Commission, Benue State Sustainable Development Goals (BSDGs) and Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) who commended OWACDO’s good work and assured us of continued support and collaboration.

Diving into the technical sessions, Prof. Naomi Onjeye Doki led an insightful exploration of Nigeria's evolving social protection landscape, covering current policy reforms and the crucial role of the state in delivery. Following this, the state coordinators for SOCU and SCTU provided a comprehensive operational overview of their mandates, institutional linkages, and coordination with federal agencies.
Dr. David Terfa Akighir guided interactive breakout sessions focused on strengthening the NSR through enhanced data quality, dynamic registry maintenance, and systematic updating mechanisms. The day wrapped up with practical group deliberations on identifying and mobilizing poor and vulnerable households, addressing frontline challenges like logistical bottlenecks and community gatekeeping to ensure true gender and disability inclusion.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our funding partners, stakeholders, and the dedicated SOCU and SCTU participants for an incredible first day. Special thanks to our ILO master trainers for sharing their wealth of experience through highly engaging and impactful sessions.
We are energized and ready to dive deeper into stakeholder mapping and evidence-based advocacy tomorrow.

Okaha Women and Children Development Organisation - Owacdo

16/09/2026

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13/09/2026

11/09/2026

10/09/2026

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04/09/2026

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