Medicaid Cancer Foundation shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala 2025.Closing out a vibrant International Women’s Month, we at Medicaid Cancer Foundation, led by our CEO, HE Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, proudly attended the Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala 2025 by Nigeria Health Watch.
This unique event fused art and advocacy to spotlight the intersections of maternal health and cancer care, aligning with this year’s World Health Day theme: Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.
In Nigeria, 1 in 7 women risk dying during childbirth, with late cancer diagnoses further exacerbating maternal health challenges – especially in rural communities. Addressing these issues, Dr. Zainab emphasized:
‘When we talk about maternal health, we must also talk about cancer care – especially how late diagnoses disproportionately affect women in rural areas.’
The event celebrated the power of art in amplifying these messages: Spoken word performances captured the emotional struggles of postpartum and cancer journeys. Artwork by young African creatives like Aisha Adamu Augie Ngozi Akande and Maryam Maigida gave voice to women’s health stories. The ‘Walk With Her’ fashion show turned advocacy into a moving visual experience.
This gala reinforced our commitment to using creativity as a catalyst for policy change. As Dr. Zainab stated:
‘We don’t just tell stories – we rewrite endings. Let’s turn these artworks into more living mothers, more healthy babies, and more equitable systems.’
Congratulations to Nigeria Health Watch and Vivianne Ihekweazu for another transformative event.”
