NPTA, in collaboration with Women in Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, embarked on a series of intervention workshops on Women's Health in Benue, Kaduna and Plateau States. The workshops which used theatre as the main medium of analysis, articulation and discussion, explored the status of women, their pattern of life and workload. It then examined the relationship of their health to the nature of work they do, and what health care facilities are available to them.

The project which took place in seven rural communities of Ochobo and Ukalegwu (Benue State), Gangara, Mujedawa, Yakawada and Yelwa (Kaduna State), Kwanga and Mazah (Plateau State) revealed a disproportionate weight of work on the women; we saw an abysmal lack of basic infrastructures and a near absence of health care in these villages.

Locations

• Benue, Kaduna and Plateau States, Nigeria.

Sector/Area

• Health

Sponsor

• MacArthur Foundation

Outcomes/Achievements

Spin-offs resulted from these workshops when NPTA helped the formation of Women's Association in Kwanga. It also introduced the women and the community to CUSO Nigeria from whom they were able to secure a grant from the Canada Fund for the procurement of a multi-purpose grinding machine. The machine has lessened the agony of grinding grains manually or of trekking five miles to the nearest milling machine. In Gangara, Mujedawa and Yakawada the women in purdah were prevailed upon to form income-generating groups. The women did and were given seed money by NPTA which they have used to start revolving loan project for members.

Project Files