Experts have called on governments, healthcare institutions and employers to take deliberate steps towards improving menopause awareness, expanding access to specialised care and creating supportive environments for women.

They urged stakeholders to develop policies that recognise menopause as an important public health and workplace issue, ensuring women receive the information, care and support needed to maintain healthy and productive lives.

The experts said addressing menopause more effectively would not only improve health outcomes but also enable women to continue contributing meaningfully to their families, workplaces and communities. They stressed that menopause should not be treated solely as a woman’s issue but as a broader societal concern requiring the involvement of families, employers, healthcare providers and policymakers.

They noted that an estimated 30 to 40 million Nigerian women are currently experiencing perimenopause or are in the post-menopausal stage of life, yet menopause remains largely absent from public health policy discussions and workplace frameworks.

The experts spoke at Menopause Matters Nigeria 2026, organised by UK-based menopause specialist and founder of Hallmark Health Limited, Dr Odinaka Nwodo-Ezeribe, at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Abuja. The event, themed “Breaking the Silence, Empowering the Future,” focused on improving awareness, support systems and healthcare access for women navigating menopause.

Speaking at the programme, Nwodo-Ezeribe said menopause remains one of the least understood and least discussed health issues affecting women despite its impact on millions of lives. She noted that many women continue to experience challenges in silence due to inadequate information, cultural misconceptions and limited access to specialised healthcare services.

The National Human Rights Commission highlighted the growing recognition of menopause as an issue that extends beyond healthcare into human rights and social inclusion. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Anthony Ojukwu, called for greater attention to women’s health concerns during midlife.

Delivering the keynote address titled “Breaking the Silence, Empowering the Future,” the Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of Arabella Women’s Health and Wellness Centre, Dr Chito Nwana, advocated increased awareness and improved access to healthcare services for women experiencing menopause-related symptoms.

A nutritionist, Chinenye Mgbojikwe, spoke on the role of healthy eating in managing menopausal symptoms, while physiotherapists Stephanie Udoh and Tochukwu Igwe highlighted the importance of physical activity and mobility during midlife.

Also, a corporate and commercial lawyer, Genevieve Wakeley-Jones, examined workplace rights and the need for policies that protect women experiencing menopause-related challenges. A major highlight of the programme was the collaboration between local and international organisations working to improve support for menopausal women.

One of the key partners was Balance, described as the world’s largest hormone health library, founded by menopause specialist Louise Newson. Through its partnership with Hallmark Health Limited, Balance provided educational materials covering symptom management, workplace rights, treatment options and lifestyle adjustments to help women navigate menopause more effectively.

The Menopausal Community Support Initiative (MCSI), a Nigeria-based organisation, discussed strategies for expanding awareness beyond urban centres and professional circles to reach women in communities across the country.

Participants expressed concern over widespread misunderstanding of menopause in Nigeria, noting that many women are often misdiagnosed or told their symptoms are simply signs of ageing. They also highlighted the lack of awareness surrounding menopause-related mental health challenges, which often remain unrecognised and untreated.