Art Over Addiction Workshops (Nigeria)
Art Over Addiction was a youth-led campaign spearheaded by our Nigerian Youth Advisory Council members that uses creative expression to tackle substance abuse. The initiative engaged young people from schools and communities, encouraging them to channel personal experiences and local insights into art, performance, and storytelling. Through this process, participants highlighted the realities of addiction and its impact on individuals, families, and communities, turning complex social issues into accessible, relatable narratives.
The campaign also featured a creative contest, inviting youth to explore solutions to the substance abuse crisis through music, poetry, and visual art. Participants not only expressed the root causes and consequences of addiction but also envisioned actionable ways to prevent it and support those affected
In 2023, Art of Health launched the MWEDZI creative menstrual arts competition in collaboration with Dr. Mandi Tembo(PhD. The contest was meant to allow girls and women across Zimbabwe to use art to share their menstrual health challenges and experiences. MWEDZI also involved a pad drive in Mbire Zimbabwe which combined practical support with artistic expression, giving underprivileged girls in rural Mbire access to menstrual hygiene products while encouraging them to explore creative ways to express their experiences and break stigma.
The pad drive itself reached hundreds of young girls in schools in Mbire. By pairing distribution with workshops and artistic activities, participants not only received vital resources but also engaged in reflective, empowering experiences that reinforced dignity, self-expression, and awareness around menstrual health