A wellness and support community for women in midlife, Meno Haven recently organised a health walk to commemorate the annual World Menopause Day.
World Menopause Day is an annual event held on October 18th to raise awareness of menopause and its impact on women’s health. The day promotes resources, education, and support for midlife women worldwide.
In Nigeria, women across Lagos, Abuja, Jos, and Port Harcourt under Meno Haven in collaboration with several partners participated in the walk, calling for greater awareness, open conversations, and community support for women experiencing menopause.
The walk was aimed at breaking the silence around menopause, dismantling stigma, and educating the public on lifestyle medicine. The women also engaged in fitness dance and health check.
The initiative was supported by several partners, including Carib Health Ltd, Redemption Water, Shea Radiance, Delina Culinary Creations, Travelright Ltd, Chuuse Healthy Label, HerStory International, and STEMAKU Global Limited, among others, whose contributions made the walk across cities possible.
Founder of Meno Haven, Adeyinka Aderoju in her remarks, recalled how her journey through menopause inspired her to form the wellness community for midlife women, noting that she didn’t have enough guidance while growing up.
Aderoju said: “Forming Meno Haven is a way to help other women so that they can be educated. My target is women aged 40 to 65. Many of these women do not know the symptoms as they approach the stage of menopause.
Recalling her own moments, she said: “I had panic attacks, heart palpitations, insomnia. So that’s why Meno Haven was setup to educate women and also sensitize them.
“Many women have expressed gladness over the establishment of this initiative. I believe education and knowledge about the menopause stage is very important. Many women are suffering in silence. Some feel they are the only one going through their predicaments alone.
“Together at Meno Haven we learn, educate and walk through the journey together. We usually have webinars where we bring in experts into the community. They teach women on what can be done, especially alleviating the symptoms. We also have clinical nutritionists and counsellors.
“Exercise, nutrition and others have been identified as ways to overcome the associated challenges facing women in the Menopause stage. Men know what women are going through. Some care, while some others do not. Many women fall into depression. I’ve friends in UK, Canada, U.S who are following the community.
“Some women are now going to menopause at early age, even especially at the age of 30. Many women of different age and categories need sensitization. It is a sisterhood, more women need to join our community. The platform is touching lives. We’ve an app for the community too.” she added.
A member of the Meno Haven community, Ayeni Eunice Debola, emphasized on the need for awareness and community support,
She expressed dismay that many women misconstrue menopausal symptoms for illness or spiritual problems due to lack of information.
Another participant, Mrs. Iyabo Oloruntoba, shared how awareness and lifestyle changes helped her cope with the transition.
While drawing attention to the importance of preventing health challenges associated with age-related changes in women, Mrs. Oloruntoba emphasised on the need to promote a healthy lifestyle and regular medical check-ups.
Also, The founder/CEO of Carib Health Ltd, Sherese Ijewere noted that women have unique nutritional needs at different stages of life.
Ijewere, a clinical nutrition consultant, said: “My message to women is to speak out and be confident of themselves. Be in your stance of wellness and most importantly, take care of your body.
“I’m passionate about women’s health as a nutrition consultant, and I help women in alleviating their diseases and also keeping them in check the wellness realm.”
Source: The Nation