Her Strength in Every Story: A Recap of the 2025 Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala

Panel Session at the 2025 Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala hosted by Nigeria Health Watch (NHW)

By Cynthia Umeh and Simbiat Amzat

At Shades of Us, we believe that when women thrive, societies prosper. We also know that art is a way to tell stories about the health and well-being of women and girls in a way that provides solutions for societies’ norms that negatively affect women and girls. So what happens when health meets art? For a third year, this has meant the Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala hosted by Nigeria Health Watch (NHW) in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art (NGA) and the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN). 

As with the previous editions, Shades of Us joined NHW on March 28, 2025, for the third edition of the Gala in Abuja. The theme this year was “Her Strength in Every Story: Creative Expressions for Women’s Health,”. It was a reminder that creative expression is not just a mirror to society; it is a megaphone for change.

From the moment guests stepped onto the red carpet, the energy was undeniable. The gallery transformed into a sanctuary of stories: paintings, poetry, theater, and fashion, all crafted to highlight the urgent realities of maternal health and women’s well-being in Nigeria.

Leading the artistic showcase were Ngozi Akande, Secretary, Board of Trustees of FEAAN, and Maryam Maigida, President of FEAAN. Their curated exhibition presented a striking blend of vulnerability and power, stories of childbirth complications, gender-based violence, emotional burnout, and the quiet courage that defines womanhood.

As Dr. Akande stated during her address, “Art speaks where words fail. It can stir empathy, shift mindsets, and inspire action.” For years, FEAAN has used creative platforms to advocate for social change, and this gala was a testament to that legacy.

Opening the evening, Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, delivered a powerful message on the intersection of economic empowerment and maternal health. Referencing legendary figures like Queen Amina of Zazzau, she reminded us that women have always been changemakers. “When women control resources,” she said, “they make informed decisions about their health, influence policy, and demand dignity in care.”

Iyadunni Olubode, Nigeria Director for MSD for Mothers, echoed this, stating, “When women are healthy, entire communities thrive.” She called for greater investment in maternal health as both a moral obligation and an economic imperative.

Later, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, Jane Frances Gbujie of the National Art Gallery, and other esteemed voices emphasized the psychological and emotional dimensions of maternal health. They shared insights on how art-based interventions can improve mental well-being for women during and after pregnancy, offering spaces for emotional release, connection, and healing.

A highlight of the evening was the spoken word segment, where poets like Ajayi Hannah, Prudence Enema, Muhammed Al-Amin Sanusi, and Stephen Eniayewu wove emotion into every line. Their words did not just speak—they soared, painting vivid portraits of hope and heartbreak, struggle and strength.

Then came the “Walk With Her” Fashion Show, each model’s stride embodying the journey of Nigerian women through motherhood, survival, and resilience. Every ensemble told its truth, turning fabric into protest and beauty into resistance.

In the “Canvas Conversations: Through the Brushstrokes” panel moderated by Onyedikachi Victoria Ewe, speakers, including Dr. Adanna Steinacker, Dr. Iniofon Inyang, Polly Alakija, and Olasunmbo Makinde, shared how their ongoing initiatives, supported by MSD for Mothers, are tackling maternal mortality in Nigeria.

A stirring moment came with the Grand Reveal by Safiya Shuaibu Isa, Deputy Director, Advocacy and Partnerships at Nigeria Health Watch. She unveiled the incredible work of Five Cowries Art Education Initiative, showcasing how arts-based programs are improving the health and futures of adolescent girls across Nigeria.

As the night came to a close, Dr. Kemisola Agbaoye, Director of Programmes, left the audience with a message that resonated deeply: “Art is not only to be admired—it is to be used. Every story told here tonight must translate into action. We must create local, culturally relevant content that gives women a voice and demands their health be prioritized.”

Beyond the Gallery: Why This Matters

Nigeria faces a maternal health crisis. With over 1,000 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, the urgency is clear. The Sustainable Development Goal target is fewer than 70 deaths by 2030. Achieving that requires more than policies; it requires compassion, community, and creativity.

Art makes statistics human. It connects us to real people—mothers, daughters, sisters—whose stories are often buried in silence. Those stories were center stage. This event reminded us of UMMI, our short film on maternal health, which tells one such powerful story of maternal and child health and mortality. You can watch it on our YouTube channel, Shades of Us Africa, or click this link to view it now.

Key Takeaways from the 2025 Art Gala

1. Women’s Economic Empowerment is Non-negotiable: When women have control over economic resources, they advocate for themselves and their families better.

2. Access to Quality Maternal Healthcare Is Urgent: Especially in underserved areas, we need well-equipped facilities and compassionate, trained professionals.

3. Creative Expression is a Powerful Advocacy Tool: Art doesn’t just raise awareness, it shifts hearts and builds collective resolve.

4. Collaboration is the Way Forward: Policy change and impact require coordinated efforts across sectors—health, arts, education, and government.

At Shades of Us, we believe women are the heartbeat of every society. Their health, especially during pregnancy and childbirth, should never be left to chance. We remain committed to championing their voices, telling their stories, and standing at the intersection of creativity and advocacy to build a more equitable world.

Because when art speaks, we do not just hear it; we feel it. And when it speaks of women’s health, we must act.

Photos at the 2025 Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala hosted by Nigeria Health Watch (NHW)