Damilola Olowe: Let's create safe spaces for open dialogue on health matters

 Damilola Olowe

                                                      

This morning, I was listening to the daily morning prayers meeting, Next Levels Prayers, and one of the prayer points was God make me a voice and not a noise. So when I see people who are pursuing worthy causes, the natural inclination is to connect with them. 

This is exactly who Damilola Olowe is. She is not just a noisy cymbal in a world filled with so many distractions. Rather, she is a health educator and advocate bent on creating a future of safe, sound and educated minds. This health education graduate from the University of Ilorin is passionate about girls' and women's health. How does she achieve this feat? Through education, community engagement and mentorship. These might look like a handful, but in a chat, she broke all these down. 

As we wind down Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there is no better way to talk about health, but we are leaving it here. The conversation goes on. We will keep talking to create awareness, proffer solutions and drive actions by all stakeholders. Omote Ro Dhe had fun having an e-chat with Damilola beyond the serious discussion, but there was a lot to learn from her. 

Read excerpts below:

Please tell us about your journey into health education and advocacy; what inspired you to choose this path?

My journey in health, education, and advocacy began in childhood, shaped by experiences in my rural hometown. During family visits, older girls would confide in me about bodily changes, reproductive health, education, and navigating puberty. Though I was young and didn't have all the answers, their stories sparked a desire to support and empower them.

I witnessed firsthand the challenges they faced: limited access to sanitary products, inadequate education, and exploitation. Many became pregnant at a young age, forcing them to abandon their education. One girl even asked me about terminating her pregnancy. These experiences left a lasting impact.

Years later, I discovered my passion for volunteering and found a sense of purpose in helping girls overcome similar challenges. I'm committed to empowering them with knowledge, resources, and support to dream bigger and reach their full potential. Every girl deserves to thrive and make informed choices about her life.

In your view, how can more women be encouraged to take charge of their health and wellbeing?

To empower women to prioritise their health and well-being, we must start with awareness and support. Many women are unaware of their importance or struggle in silence due to societal expectations.

Organising community seminars and support groups can help identify their unique challenges and provide tailored solutions.

Creating safe spaces for open dialogue can foster a sense of belonging and empowerment, allowing women to share their experiences and access beneficial health education and advocacy.

By promoting a culture of understanding and inclusivity, we can help women recognise their worth and take charge of their health.

Women’s health often intersects with issues like poverty, culture, and education. How do you navigate these challenges in your advocacy?

Addressing women's health requires a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between poverty, culture, and education. Our approach begins with identifying and understanding the specific needs of our target audience, which informs our research and advocacy efforts.

We believe in the power of collaboration and have established partnerships with Non-governmental organisations and individuals to provide targeted support. By working together with counsellors, mentors, founders, and other experts, we're able to equip younger generations of women with the tools and resources they need to break free from poverty and thrive.

Ultimately, our goal is to create a world where every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential, and we believe that empowerment through education and support is the key to achieving this vision.

As someone deeply involved in health promotion, what strategies do you find most effective when teaching or communicating health topics?

When it comes to health promotion, I firmly believe that storytelling is a powerful tool. By sharing real-life experiences and narratives, we can capture people's attention, convey complex information in a relatable way, and inspire meaningful behaviour change.

Storytelling puts a face to the statistics, making the risks of ignorance and complacency more tangible. By sharing stories of triumph and struggle, we can empower individuals to make informed choices and take control of their health.

Describe yourself in three words.

Passionate, creative and empathetic.

One book that changed your perspective?

Think Big by Ben Carson

What’s one health tip you live by every day?

Eat right, exercise joyfully, and exhale love through meaningful contribution.

If you could mentor your younger self, what would you say?

If I could go back, I'd tell my younger self to not be too fixated on getting it right all the time. I'd tell her to look in the mirror and give herself a pat on the back for every time she tried to do something daring or put a smile on someone's face.

Most of all, I'd tell her not to be scared of adulthood – it's a beautiful transition, and no matter how many times she falls, she can always get up and keep going.

What advice would you give to young people who want to pursue careers in public health or community education?

To anyone looking to make a difference in public health or community education, I'd say know your why. It's not just about the job, it's about the people, the lives, and the stories you're impacting. When the going gets tough (and it will get tough), your passion and purpose will be what keeps you going.

Don't do it for the fame or the accolades – do it because you genuinely care about humanity. There are lives waiting for someone to make a difference in them. Don't take that opportunity for granted.