Hey #BellaStylistas!
This past Saturday, March 15th, we hosted the second panel discussion for our BNS Women’s Month 2025 series — and it was an unforgettable, thought-provoking experience. As part of our mission to spotlight important conversations affecting women’s lives, this session dove deep into the realities of mental health, tackling stigmas and shedding light on how women can access better support systems.
We brought together a powerful lineup of women leading the charge in mental health advocacy, therapy, to discuss “From Stigma to Strength: Mental Health Unfiltered,” . Here’s a closer look at the phenomenal women who led the conversation:
Waje (Aituaje Iruobe) — (Award-winning Nigerian artist, entrepreneur, and UN Global Champion)
Waje’s unmistakable powerhouse vocals have made her a music icon, blending soul, R&B, and Afrobeat. Beyond music, Waje co-founded Fengshui Expert, a real estate company, and launched AFFIRMATIONS BY WAJE, a fitness wear line promoting self-confidence and strength.
Hauwa Ojeifo — (Mental health advocate, founder of She Writes Woman & Safe Place Nigeria)
Hauwa is a force to reckon with. As a mental health advocate living with a psychosocial disability, she has fearlessly used her voice and experiences as a sexual violence survivor to dismantle harmful stigmas. Through her initiatives She Writes Woman and Safe Place Nigeria, she’s created vital safe spaces and mental health resources for those who need them most. Her advocacy work has extended from Nigeria’s National Assembly — where her testimony contributed to the passing of the Mental Health Act — to global stages like the United Nations.
Tinuke Atilade — (Certified mental health therapist for mums, founder of Mum Confessions)
Tinuke is redefining what it means to support mothers through life’s toughest moments. As a licensed mental health therapist, she specialises in counselling women through TTC (Trying to Conceive), pregnancy, baby loss, and postpartum struggles. Her platform, Mum Confessions, encourages open, judgment-free conversations — tackling the emotional weight many mothers carry silently. Tinuke’s passion lies in tearing down barriers that prevent women from accessing mental health support, advocating for a future where no woman suffers in silence.
The session, titled “From Stigma to Strength: Mental Health Unfiltered,” was expertly moderated by BellaNaija’s Head of Partnerships, Omotunde, who guided the conversation seamlessly. Together, our speakers broke down harmful myths surrounding sexual healthcare and mental well-being — leaving attendees with practical, empowering advice on how to take charge of their mental health and support others around them.
Swipe through below to see our Top 5 Takeaways from the session.
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Missed the session? Not to worry, you can catch the replay of the live video.
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Don’t forget to stay tuned for more of our #BNSWomensMonth activities — there’s so much more coming your way this March!