Team Member

Elsie O. Ugege is a Research and Programming Associate at WHARC, who currently serves in the capacity of Researcher and Lecturer at the Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation (CERHI), University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. Elsie holds MSc and PhD degrees in Public Health from the University of Chester, UK; and specializes in women's health and gender issues, with a strong focus on public health socio-anthropology. Elsie’s doctoral thesis typifies community participatory research, in action. She continues to focus on issues, as are deeply rooted in her personal experiences and broader socio-cultural dynamics of her community. Growing up in Nigeria, she witnessed firsthand, the challenges faced by women regarding their health, bodies, and societal expectations. She works to emphasize the importance of addressing gender inequalities in health, and championing ethical research particularly in African contexts where such issues are often overlooked. Elsie not only advances academic discourse; she also empowers women in her community by validating their experiences and promoting culturally sensitive approaches to health education and research. She utilizes platforms that allow her to connect academic knowledge with real-world applications. Accordingly, she is a dedicated member of Rotary International, where she is also actively involved in community service, focusing on health advocacy and women's rights: providing them with knowledge and resources that can improve their health and well-being. By engaging with local women and understanding their health challenges, she ensures that her research and teachings are grounded in the realities faced by those she aims to serve. Her commitment to advancing public health equity is not only reflected in her research endeavors, but also in her participation as a reviewer for reputable journals focusing on health equity. In summary, Elsie draws inspiration for women’s wellbeing from a blend of personal experiences, academic inquiry, and a desire to advocate for women's health issues, making her work both relevant and impactful in promoting gender equity in health.