Written By: Bernard Otu Assim-ita
In Kaduna’s bustling markets, the hum of sewing machines mixes with laughter and conversation. Beneath this familiar rhythm, a quiet movement is taking shape. One led by women who are using their craft not only to stitch fabric but to reshape lives.
In many parts of Northern Nigeria, reproductive health remains shrouded in silence and stigma. Married women often face misinformation and fear about contraceptive use, with decisions about their bodies controlled by social norms rather than informed choice. For many, discussing family planning is still considered taboo, even between husband and wife.
Recognizing the need to bring information closer to women in a way that feels familiar and safe, Education as a Vaccine (EVA), in partnership with Girl Effect, launched the Saabi Campaign. The initiative trains and supports community champions, many of them married tailors on how to turn everyday workspaces into safe spaces where women can talk openly about reproductive health, ask questions without shame, and make choices with confidence.
Across Kaduna, these tailors have become trusted messengers. In one of 44 monitored sessions, Fatima, a 28-year-old mother of two, guided a small group of women as they shared myths they once believed: “I thought family planning would make me sick,” one woman admitted. Fatima smiled gently and explained how contraception works, using simple examples from daily life. “When you plan your time and your work, you have peace, It’s the same with your family.”—she said.
Since the campaign began, more than 567 women have accessed reproductive health services through referrals from these safe spaces. Many now report improved communication with their spouses and greater confidence in making health decisions. For Fatima, the change is personal. “Before Saabi, I didn’t have the courage to speak about this. Now, my husband encourages other men to let their wives learn too,” she said proudly.
The Saabi Campaign is redefining what advocacy looks like: quiet, consistent, and community-led. It is proving that when women are trusted with information, they become powerful educators and agents of change in their own right.
At EVA, we believe that empowering women begins with listening to them. Help us continue supporting champions like Fatima as they bridge the gap between information and empowerment, one conversation and one community at a time. Every stitch, every story, every safe space brings us closer to a future where women’s health is not a secret but a shared strength.