By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — Founder of the Vickyheldan Empowerment Foundation, Dr. Victory Njoku, has warned that Africa cannot achieve sustainable development without healthier women.

She called for a continent-wide alliance to tackle maternal mortality, mental health challenges and poor access to healthcare.

The call comes amid concerns over persistently high maternal mortality rates, limited healthcare access in many rural communities and growing mental health pressures on women across the continent.

Njoku said governments cannot address the challenges alone and urged stronger collaboration with healthcare institutions, non-governmental organisations and development partners.

Speaking in Abuja at the unveiling of the Her Health Her Power Conference Africa 2026, scheduled for August 20, the health advocate said the event would bring together policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates and development partners to develop practical responses to women’s health challenges.

“A sustainable Africa cannot be built without healthy women. Wellness is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the foundation upon which strong families, productive economies and prosperous nations are built,” she said.

The conference, themed ‘Leading with Wellness for a Sustainable Africa,’ will focus on maternal and reproductive health, mental wellness, preventive healthcare, women’s leadership and economic participation.

“It is quite unfortunate that we are where we are today when it comes to healthcare in Africa. The government cannot do it alone. That is why we are calling on partners and NGOs to come together and create a synergistic relationship that will drive growth and increase awareness, especially regarding women’s health,” Njoku said.

According to her, the conference would seek practical solutions to maternal and reproductive health challenges, while outreach programmes planned before and after the event would help expand healthcare access in underserved communities.

Expressing concern over Africa’s maternal mortality burden, Njoku urged governments to work more closely with NGOs, noting that many already have established relationships within vulnerable communities.

“Many NGOs are already working in communities where government agencies struggle to reach. They have the data, the relationships and the understanding of the challenges people face. Collaboration is essential if we want to make meaningful progress,” she stated.

She also described mental health as one of the most overlooked issues affecting women, saying specialists at the conference would address emotional wellbeing, stress management and domestic violence.

“There is a lot going on with women that we do not discuss enough. Mental wellness is very important. Many women are stressed and exhausted, yet society still expects them to keep showing up. These are issues we must address if we are serious about improving women’s health,” she said.

Calling for policy support, Njoku said investing in women’s health would strengthen families, communities and economies across Africa.

“The future of Africa depends on the wellbeing of its people, and the wellbeing of its people begins with the wellbeing of its women. Together, let us lead with wellness and build a stronger, healthier and more sustainable Africa,” she added.