As a youth focused organization, we have taken it as a mandate to celebrate outstanding youths and recognize their various works in making the society we live in a better place. Today, this week, we at The Bridge Leadership Foundation celebrate Hauwa Ojeifo.
Hauwa Ojeifo is the Founder of SHE WRITES WOMEN. She is a 25 year old indigene of Edo state, she is a fashion designer, a life, mind and mental coach and professionally, she is a financial analyst.
She studied Business Administration (international business) at Bells University Ota, Ogun State and then got her Master’s degree from the ICMA Centre Henley Business School, University of Reading UK. She also has a professional certificate from Fashion Institute Malaysia.
Despite having a great life, Hauwa has been through turbulent times. In 2015, she was diagnosed with bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorder, facing this issue all on her own without any major support to help her pull through, Hauwa then started the ‘She Writes Women’ movement in April 2016 which posed as a channel through which she could express herself and help other mental health problems. The “She Writes Women” movement aims at helping and supporting women suffering from mental disorders. In July 2016, the movement successfully created a helpline that functions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hauwa looks forward to ending the stigma associated with mental disorders especially in Nigeria. She haven experienced this, speaks as a voice for women with mental health problems. Her movement does a lot such as providing monthly support for mental patients; providing therapy and help from counselors, coaches and psychiatrist. She also pays visits to abandoned patients of psychiatric hospitals.
Besides the She Writes Women Movement, Hauwa also owns a fashion design enterprise, the Mariam Moussa creation, which she started in the year 2010.
Recently, was recognized by the Queen of England for her efforts in changing lives and providing help and for this she was a recipient of the Queens Young Leaders award. An award she was the only female Nigerian recipient.
Hauwa has partnered with some organizations like Wiki loves women in order to reach more women and also create awareness about mental health problems while at the same time trying to end the stigma associated with mental disorder in Nigeria.
Her drive to realize her goals are unwavering and she hopes to see a society free of stigma and bias for people with mental disorder. We at TBLF celebrate you and wish you success in your future endeavours.
