In a world where women’s health conversations are often swept under the rug, High Tea with BNS by BellaNaija offered a refreshing counterbalance. Hosted in Lagos by BellaNaija Style in collaboration with eHealth Africa to mark the end of International Women’s Month Campaign, the event featured influential women across sectors: fashion, health, and development, for an afternoon of connection and purposeful dialogue.
Against a backdrop of rising interest in wellness, the conversation focused on supporting adolescent girls through improved access to health. Moderated by Audrey Odogu, Senior Manager of New Business Development, the event created a powerful space for conversation, networking, and collaboration.
Speaking during the panel session themed “The Intersection of Technology and Healthcare Access for Women”, eHealth Africa’s Director of Programs and Partnerships, Ota Akhigbe, reiterated the importance of data-driven solutions to bridge health gaps for women, especially in underserved communities.
She emphasized that despite the challenges, the sector is ripe for innovation and growth, particularly for women. “There is too much to be done,” Ota explained. “We must continue to build capacity and open doors for collaboration to improve access to essential health services for women, especially in underserved regions.” She highlighted eHealth Africa’s ongoing work in using digital tools and data-driven solutions to address gaps in healthcare provision.
Ota shared an example of how mentorship programs sometimes miss the mark, decrying why 17-year-old girls are paired with 60-year-old mentors whose life experiences are worlds apart. “How can a teenage girl open up about sex, periods, or mental health to someone who might not even understand or accept her reality?” she quizzed. This, according to her, underscores the urgent need for programs that reflect the language, culture, and real-life experiences of the girls they aim to serve. She emphasized safe spaces and peer-led mentorship as crucial strategies for fostering openness and trust among adolescent girls, especially in health-focused interventions.
“We need to be able to create spaces where women can contribute to decision-making, especially in addressing health challenges like maternal mortality,” Ota added saying, “Together, we can achieve miracles. No one organization can do it alone.”
The discussion served as a call to action for organizations, governments, and individuals to unite efforts toward improving health outcomes, particularly for women and adolescent girls. In closing, the High Tea with BNS event wasn’t just a conversation; it was a catalyst. It provided a platform for leaders in various sectors to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and create lasting partnerships that will ultimately benefit communities, especially in the area of women’s health. It reminded us that access to quality healthcare should not be a privilege and that with the right partnerships, tools, and empathy-led innovation, we can rewrite the story for the next generation of girls.
A key takeaway from the session was the emphasis on leveraging technology for community health solutions. They spoke on eHealth Africa’s success in mapping healthcare facilities across northern Nigeria using satellite imagery and geospatial technology. This effort has been critical in improving healthcare delivery in hard-to-reach areas and ensuring that healthcare services reach the most vulnerable populations.
In the end, the panelists called on policymakers, tech developers, storytellers, business owners, and advocates to contribute their bits towards a more equitable and healthier future for women and girls in Nigeria. From co-creating health solutions to using platforms to amplify accurate information or investing in health-focused Corporate Social Responsibility, every action matters.
