No. 85 Ogoja Road, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
No. 6 Kwaghbula Street Off J.S Tarkar Road Gboko Benue State.(08106486300)
Welcome to WOCHAD Initiative
Women, Children’s Health and Community Development (WOCHAD) Initiative
Orji Maria Uduma (Mrs) Executive Director WOCHAD Initiative, Maria Uduma Orji is a Public Health Nurse by profession. She is a core development worker who has implemented many Projects on women and family health, gender empowerment and community development. She is the Family Planning Coordinator in Ebonyi State Ministry and had previously worked in the following capacitie in the Ministry: Baby Friendly Initiative Coordinator 2000 - 2016, Safe motherhood Coordinator 1998-2000, Management Information Officer Reproductive Health Unit1996-1998 and registered Nurse/Midwife General Hospital Owutu Edda, Afikpo South LGA 1991-1995. She is the Executive Director and Secretary Board of Trustee of Women, Children’s Health and Community Development (WOCHAD) Initiative.
ABOUT WOCHAD INITIATIVE
WOCHAD is a Non-for-profit Non-Governmental organization formed in 2001 in Ebonyi State Nigeria to respond to Womens Health, Gender inequality, violence against women and girls, empowerment and Community Development. The Organization promotes maternal and child health, general wellbeing of families and respond to emerging health and development issues that affects the health of women and children. The Organization was started by Nurses and Midwives who were concerned about the inceasing rate of child and maternal and mobidility and mortality, gender based violence and low economic status of women, children and girls in Ebonyi State Nigeria who came together to form a formidable force to respond to them. WOCHAD registered with Cooperate Affairs Commission Abuja Nigeria in 2007 and is also registered with Ebonyi, Benue and Cross Rivers State Ministries of Women Affairs and Social development.
WOCHAD Initiative has staff strength of 16 and 227 community volunteers. The organization collaborates with other NGOs, Networks, Government agencies (NACA, SACA, Ministries of Health and Women Affairs and Social Development, Local Government Areas (LGAs) Health and Social Welfare Departments) to provide culturally acceptable friendly services aimed at promoting women, girls and children health and responding to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights of women and girls, Violence Against Women and Girls, Gender Empowerment, Youth development, emerging health challenges and reduction of Maternal and child morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
WOCHAD is governed by a 11member Board of Trustee (BOT) made of high profiled individuals from the Academia, Health Professionals, Political class, Women Leaders, Legal Practitioners and Civil Servants who have demonstrated strong willingness in promoting women health and rights, the vulnerable, the less privileged and societal development through sustained support for the organization to achieve her core mandate. WOCHAD BOT participate actively in conducting high level Advocacy, Resource mobilization and performs other functions such as appointment of external auditors, approval of policies, work plans, employment and salary structure. Decisions on key events and governance are taken during Annual General Assembly of members.
MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
WOCHAD management is led by the Executive Director who oversees the daily management of affairs of the organization and reports to the Board of Trustees (BOT). The Executive Director supervises Head of Programs, Project Managers, M&E Director, Finance and Admin manager who report to her. The Managers in-turn supervises Program, M&E and Project Account officers who report to them. These officers in-turn supervise the respective assistants and volunteers.
STAFF STRENGTH
WOCHAD has 16 experienced and qualified staff that carry out day to day planning and conduct of activities. The organization has a total of 227 community volunteers working in both Ebonyi and Benue States offices.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The Finance department has qualified and experienced Accountants. WOCHAD has sound financial management system being driven by her qualified and experienced Finance and Administration Manager and Accountants Officers who use software such as QuickBooks and partners Financial Reporting Templates in capturing and reporting the organizations financial transactions. The organization has been conducting Annual Financial Audit since 2007. The organization maintains a comprehensive insurance policy for all her staff members who pay tax as required by the Federal Government of Nigeria. WOCHAD source of income include: Annual dues and levies from members, consultancy, Income Generating Activities (income from Skill Acquisition Centre), donations and grants from Donors and Partners.
