WOMEN’S HEALTH AND ACTION RESEARCH CENTRE (WHARC)

ESTABLISHED IN 1995

Promoting the health and Social Wellbeing of Women and Youth through Evidence-based Research and Interventions

WHARC is a registered non-governmental, non-profit organization based in Benin City, Edo State. The centre was established in 1995 to promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls.

Our Vision

WHARC vision seeks to create a world where all people are treated with equal respect and dignity and where women and young adolescents have equality and access to basic reproductive health information and services.

Our Mission

WHARC mission is grounded in a deep love of humanity and a belief in equality and dignity for all people, WHARC works to improve the reproductive health and social wellbeing of woman and adolescents in Africa so they can lead productive, fulfilling lives and provide a healthy future for their children. Through its cutting edge research, WHARC educates women, youth, community gatekeepers and policymakers about sexual and reproductive health, and advocates for policy change at the local, state and federal level. WHARC also provides current and effective reproductive health services for adolescent girls in Africa.

Till date, WHARC has conducted formative and intervention research that documents the socio-cultural determinants of women’s health that provides data for developing policies and programs for scaling up best practices relating to women’s health in Nigeria and African. In particular, WHARC’s niche is to use the results of research to build public health awareness Nigeria.

Specific objectives of WHARC

    • To implement community participatory action research and documentation Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Nigeria;
    • To increase access to evidence-based information and services on SRHR, especially for disadvantaged women and girls in rural communities in Nigeria;
    • To build the capacity of NGOs and gender advocates to implement action research, documentation, and evidence-based advocacy for women’s and the girl child health and social development programs;
    • To design and implement appropriate evidence-based interventions that seek to integrate economic empowerment into women’s reproductive health work in Nigeria;
    • To implement a comprehensive advocacy program aimed at improving commitment of governments to promoting SRHR at national and sub-national levels.

Current activities

WHARC’s 2022-2028 strategic plan includes the following activities:

  • Research, documentation and translation of research findings in sexual and reproductive health into policies and programmatic action
  • Publication of the African Journal of Reproductive Health, and a special issue of the Journal focusing on sexual and reproductive health
  • Publication of occasional working papers and newsletter highlighting issues relating to SRHR
  • Capacity building of local NGOs and primary health care workers on research and documentation
  • Capacity building of NGOs, community-based organizations and health care providers on the management of Gender-based violence, Female Genital Mutilation and other health and social issues concerning SRHR
  • Creating partnerships with government, civil society advocates, youth and the private sector in implementing policies and programs that advance integrated programming in SRHR
  • Participation in local and international conferences, workshops and discourses on SRHR
  • Advocacy, public health education, community mobilization activities
  • Creating service delivery models and providing essential services in SRHR

Some WHARC’s accomplishments

    • Promoting Adolescents Sexual and Reproductive Health (Ford Foundation Project): Beneficiaries: 47 NGOs, CBOs, 10 million Nigerian youths. Outcomes: Identification of research priorities, awareness through TV programs, new research initiatives, NGO capacity building, advocacy training, and special edition publication of the African Journal of Reproductive Health (AJRH) on adolescent health.
    • Safe Motherhood Project: Beneficiary states: Lagos, Enugu, Cross River, Kano, Plateau, Bornu. Outcomes: Advocacy led to funding pledges, development of policy briefs, workshops for local government advocacy, and revitalization of health policies in Plateau State.
    • Maternal Deaths Prevention in Rural Communities (TY Danjuma Project): Location: Edo State. Outcomes: Improved maternal health facilities, caregiver capacity building, introduction of communication tools (phones) for pregnant women, transportation support via local workers, and increased use of PHCs.
    • Private Obstetrical Providers Initiative: Beneficiaries: Borno, Kaduna, Niger, Bauchi, Taraba states. Outcomes: Training of 812 private obstetrical providers and 1300 midwives, 40% increase in PAC and FP services, and presentation of six papers at international conferences.
    • Research to Promote Infection Control in Birthing Places (Edo State): Outcomes: Development of interventions targeting maternal mortality due to infections, publication of an infection control paper, stakeholder workshops, and intervention frameworks.
    • WHARC/WHO Project (Emergency Obstetric Care Improvement): Beneficiaries: Referral hospitals in Nigeria. Outcomes: Blood donation campaigns, health provider training on postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia, and labor obstruction, and distribution of protocols for managing these conditions.
    • WHARC/UNFPA Project (Gender-Based Violence Prevention): Regions: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest Nigeria. Outcomes: Provision of safe spaces for women, mobile outreach health services for hard-to-reach communities, and the construction of new facilities for women and girls in IDP communities.
    • Building Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR, MacArthur Foundation): Outcomes: Provision of emergency CS packs, development of obstetrics protocols, improved emergency care, and neonatal monitoring.
    • WHARC/University of Ottawa/IDRC/UNFPA Project (Innovation for Maternal and Child Health) Outcomes: Development and launch of the Text4life WHARC-Rapid-SMS Model, which was demonstrated at Primary Health Centres, Capacity building for health providers and CSOs, referral support for GBV cases in 320 communities, and provision of phones for GBV reporting.
    • African Journal of Reproductive Health (AJRH) – WHARC publishes the African Journal of Reproductive Health (AJRH) Journal, a multidisciplinary and international journal which started in 1997. The journal is published monthly with special editions that come up within the publication year. The journal focuses on publishing original research, comprehensive review articles, case reports and commentaries on reproductive health. It strives to provide a forum for both African and foreign researchers working in Africa to share findings in all aspects of reproductive health and to disseminate innovative, relevant and useful information on reproductive health throughout the continent. The AJRH has open access in several websites including PubMed, AJOL and SABINET while full text is published at http://www.ajrh.info 
    • Abel Guobadia Specialist Hospital (AGSH)- WHARC also provides health services in a specialist hospital, Abel Guobadia Specialist Hospital (AGSH) which has been very active in meeting the needs of patients. AGSH is also an approved service provider for National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Additionally, AGSH provides laboratory, diagnostic and ultrasound services. To commemorate the International Day of Action for Women‘s Health, AGSH provided free medical services to the general public in partnership with Centre of Excellence for Reproductive Health Innovation (CERHI) and Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

WHARC’S PUBLICATIONS SINCE 2023 till date

  1. Aine Aventin, Martin Robinson, Jennifer Hanratty, Ciara Keenan, Jayne Hamilton, Eimear Ruane McAteer, Mark Tomlinson, Mike Clarke, Friday Okonofua, Chris Bonell, Maria Lohan. Involving men and boys in family planning: A systematic review of the effective components and characteristics of complex interventions in low and middle-income countries. Campbell Systematic Reviews 2023;19.e1296. 1-47. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1296.
  2. Otitolaiye C, Omonkhua A, Oriakhi K, Okello E, Onoagbe I, Okonofua F. Phytochemical Analysis and In vitro Antioxidant Potential of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of Irvingia gabonensis Stem Bark. Pharmacog Res. 2023;15(2):363-72. 335 Friday Okonofua, Lorretta Ntoimo, Ermel Johnson, Issiaka Sombie, Solanke Ojuolape, Brian Igboin, Wilson Imongan, Chioma Ekwo, Ogochukwu Udenigwe, Sanni Yaya, Anne B. Wallis, Joy Adeniran. Texting for Life: A mobile phone application to provide triage, education, and connect pregnant women with emergency transport in rural Nigeria. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2023; 23: 139. https/doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05424-9.
  3. Ochu CL, Ntoimo L, Onoh I, Okonofua FE, et al. Predictors of Lassa fever diagnosis in suspected cases reporting to health facilities in Nigeria. Scientific Reports 13, 6545, 2023. https://doi.org10.1038/s41598-023-33187-y. 337 Eluobaju D, Okonofua F, Weine S et al. Understanding birthing preferences of women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria: A qualitative Study. BMJ Open 2023; 13e:054603.doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054603
  4. Okonofua F, Ekezue BF, Ntoimo LF, Ohenhen V, Agholor K, Imongan W, Ogu R, Galadanci H. Outcomes of a multifaceted intervention to prevent eclampsia and eclampsia-related deaths in Nigerian referral facilities. International Health. 2023 Jun 30:ihad044.
  5. Ogochukwu Udenigwe, Friday Okonofua, Lorretta LF Ntiomo, Sanni Yaya. Seeking maternal health care in Nigeria: through the lens of nego-feminism. Reproductive Health, July 2023, 20:103, http://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01647-3.
  6. Babatunde Adelekan, Erika Goldson, Lorretta Ntoimo, Osaretin Adonri, Yakubu Aliyu, Mathew Onoja, Idowu Araoyinbo, Emilele Anakhuekha, Muella Ulla, Zubaida Abubakar, Ulla Mueller, Eno-Obong Ekwere, Michael Inedu, Olayinka Moruf, George Swomen, Brian Igboin, Friday Okonofua. Clients’ perspectives on the utilization of maternal, neonatal and child health services in primary health centers during COVID-19 pandemic in 10 States of Nigeria. Plos One, July 20, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288714.
  7. Okonofua F, Ntoimo LF, Ekezue B, Ohenhen V, Agholor K, Imongan W, Ogu R, Galadanci H. Outcome of interventions to improve the quality of intrapartum care in Nigeria’s referral hospitals: a quasi-experimental research design. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2023 Dec;23(1):1-2.
  8. Okonofua F. Decolonizing Medical Training for Development Impact in West Africa. West Afr J Med. 2023 Aug 28;40(8):776-778. PMID: 37638859
  9. Jimu SE, Ntoimo LF, Okonofua FE. Prevalence and determinants of condom use among youth in Malawi: Evidence from the 2015/16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey. Reproductive Health 2023; 20:170. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01714-9.
  10. Okonofua F. Information and communication technologies: A novel but underused approach in sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. African Journal of Reproductive Health. Volume 27, Number 1, January 2023. https://www.ajrh.info/index.php/ajrh/article/view/3691
  11. Balogun JA and Okonofua F. The politics of abortion rights in the 2022 United States midterm election: Lessons for fledgling democracies around the world. African Journal of Reproductive Health. Volume 27, Number 2, February 2023. https://www.ajrh.info/index.php/ajrh/article/view/3698
  12. Okonofua FE and Balogun JA. Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election and the future of healthcare in the country. African Journal of Reproductive Health. Volume 27, Number 3, March 2023. https://www.ajrh.info/index.php/ajrh/article/view/3731
  13. Okonofua F, Ibrahim AL and Awowole I. Curricular review and integration for training in sexual and reproductive health and rights needed in sub-Saharan Africa: A call for action. African Journal of Reproductive Health. Volume 27, Number 4, April 2023. https://www.ajrh.info/index.php/ajrh/article/view/3778
  14. Okonofua F and Ogu R. Nimi Briggs: An unforgettable advocate for reproductive health and rights in Africa. African Journal of Reproductive Health. Volume 27, Number 5, May 2023. https://www.ajrh.info/index.php/ajrh/article/view/3847
  15. Okonofua F. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti: A treasured advocate for primary health care and a pioneer of good health governance. African Journal of Reproductive Health. Volume 27, Number 5s, May 2023. https://www.ajrh.info/index.php/ajrh/article/view/3820
  16. Okonofua F. Building publication and writing skills of early career researchers: The case of Afe Babalola University, Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health. Volume 27, Number 6s, June 2023. https://www.ajrh.info/index.php/ajrh/article/view/3873
  17. Edouard L and Okonofua F. Improving reproductive health skills through simulation: a call for innovations. African Journal of Reproductive Health. Volume 27, Number 7, July 2023. https://www.ajrh.info/index.php/ajrh/article/view/3956
  18. Edouard L and Okonofua F. Embedding Africa’s sexual and reproductive health prerogatives in global development agenda. African Journal of Reproductive Health. Volume 27, Number 9, September 2023. https://www.ajrh.info/index.php/ajrh/article/view/4085
  19. Atwoli L, Erhabor GE, Gbakima AA, Haileamlak A, Ntumba JK, Kigera J, LaybournLangton L, Mash B, Muhia J, Mulaudzi FM, Ofori-Adjei D, Okonofua F, Rashidian A, ElAdawy M, Sidibé S, Snouber A, Tumwine J, Yassien MS, Yonga P, Zakhama L, Zielinski C. COP27 Climate Change Conference: urgent action needed for Africa and the world. East Mediterr Health J. 2022 Nov 30;28(11):785-787. doi: 10.26719/2022.28.11.785. PMID: 36515441.
  20. Okonofua F, Edouard L, Isikhuemen M. Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine and cervical cancer prevention in Africa. Afr J Reprod Health. 2023 Dec 31;27(12):9-14. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2023/v27i12.1. PMID: 38156603. 2024
  21. Tomlinson MM, Wallis AB, Harris MJ, DuPré NC, Baumgartner RN, Okonofua F. Menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in West Africa: A systematic review. Afr J Reprod Health. 2024 Feb 28;28(1):123-156. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i1.12. PMID: 38308560. 356 Okonofua F. Climate change and women’s health: Call for research and innovations. Afr J Reprod Health. 2024 Feb 28;28(1):9-12. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i1.1. PMID: 38308483. 
  22. Okonofua F. Climate change and women’s health: Call for research and innovations. Afr J Reprod Health. 2024 Feb 28;28(1):9-12. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i1.1. PMID: 38308483. 358 Okonofua F, Edouard L, Isikhuemen M. Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine and cervical cancer prevention in Africa. Afr J Reprod Health. 2023 Dec 31;27(12):9-14. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2023/v27i12.1. PMID: 38156603.
  23. Okonofua FE, Ntoimo LF, Unuabonah EI, Msagati TA, Ayodeji O, Aziken M, Omonkhua A, Ohenhen V, Olafusi C, Alfred MO. Association of Urinary Mycotoxins with Sperm Quality: A Case-Control Study in Southern Nigeria. Toxins. 2024 Feb 29;16(3):119.
  24. Odjesa E, Okonofua FE. An empirical analysis of the demand for family planning satisfied by modern methods among married or in-union women in Nigeria: Application of multilevel binomial logistic modelling technique. Plos one. 2024 Mar 21;19(3):e0300744.
  25. Isikhuemen ME, Idolor AG, Uwagboe CU, Sodje JD, Anya CJ, Okonofua FE. Case report of an unusual finding of intrauterine contraceptive device in the rectum. International Journal of Surgery Case Reports. 2024 Feb 23:109436.

WHARC Board of Trustees

Professor Friday Okonofua- Chairman
Dr Wilson Imongan- Executive Director/ Secretary to the Board
Professor Loretta Ntoimo- Member
Ms. Patience Okonofua- Executive Director (Management)
Professor Rosemary Ogu- Member
Dr Uche Menakaya- Member
Barrister Damilola Adejumo- Member

WHARC’S Current and past funders

  • The MacArthur Foundation
  • The Ford Foundation
  • United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
  • World Health Organization
  • International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
  • Lucile and David Packard Foundation
  • Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (RCOG)
  • West African Health Organization
  • The TY Danjuma Foundation

Contact Information

Office Address: Km 11 Benin-Lagos Expressway, Opposite Evidence of the Gospel Church, Igue- Iheya, Benin City, Edo State

Tel: +2348176358767

Email: info@wharc-online.org; feokonofua@yahoo.co.uk

Website: www.wharc-online.org

Journal website: www.ajrh.info

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Women’s-Health-and-Action-Research-Centre

Twitter: twitter.com/wharc_nigeria

Instagram: wharc_nigeria

LinkedIn: WHARC NIGERIA