Commemorating International Women’s Day at Makoko.

Give to Gain – Empowering Women, Empowering Health

In the heart of the Better Life Market, Makoko, the Maria Foundation for Women Development joined forces with a coalition of dedicated partners to celebrate International Women’s Day. Under the global spirit of “Give to Gain,” we transitioned from rhetoric to action, focusing on the backbone of our community: the women.

The Mission

Our goal was simple yet urgent: to bridge the gap between vulnerable women and essential health intelligence. We aimed to:

Educate: Break down complex health challenges into actionable knowledge.
Empower: Provide the tools and resources for informed wellness choices.
Support: Establish a community-linked referral system for long-term care.

Impact & Reach

Primary Focus: Women aged 18–65 years.
Direct Beneficiaries: 55 women (Market traders and community members).
Location: Makoko Community, Lagos State.

Strategic Execution

The program was designed to be practical and immediate:

I. Clinical Diagnostic Screenings

We deployed a team of healthcare professionals to conduct baseline vitals for 55 women.

Hypertension Management: Women identified with high blood pressure readings weren’t just “notified”—they were formally referred to local Federal Medical Centres. This ensures that the “outreach” transforms into “long-term care.”

II. Expert-Led Health Education

Certified nurses and pharmacists facilitated interactive “Health Talks.” Topics covered included:

Preventive Wellness: Simple lifestyle adjustments to prevent chronic diseases.
Resource Navigation: How to access local healthcare subsidies.
Hygiene Advocacy: The distribution of specialized hygiene kits served as both a gift and a practical tool for daily wellness.

Coalition of Partners

This initiative was a collective effort, solely financed and driven by:

Maria Foundation for Women Development (Lead)
Africare Peace Initiative
Hope Builders for Physically Challenged Foundation
Grassroot People and Gender Development Center
Lupus Remedies Foundation
Stop Female Genital Mutilation Foundation

Compiled By: Princess Chioma Amanze Executive Director, Maria Foundation for Women Development

Want to partner with us for our next community outreach? Contact us today.