In the lead-up to this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, themed “The girl I am, the change I lead” Haven Crest Support Network is championing mental wellness, self-worth, and menstrual dignity among young girls in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
As the world prepares to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, the theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead” rings like both a reminder and a rallying cry. It reminds us that every girl carries within her the power to shape her own story, and yet, millions across the world still battle to be heard, educated, and safe.
Every year, this global day shines a light on the rights, resilience, and untold struggles of girls, their fight for education, equality, and emotional well-being. But behind the inspiring speeches and hashtags lies a sobering reality. According to the latest UN reports, 133 million girls remain out of school today. Adolescent girls aged 15–19 are more likely to be excluded from education, employment, or training than their male peers. Almost four in ten adolescent girls and young women never complete upper secondary school. And for many who do, their education is shadowed by fear and silence: nearly one in four have experienced intimate partner violence, while more than a third of adolescent boys and girls believe a husband is justified in hitting his wife under certain circumstances.
These numbers, though global, hit close to home in Nigeria, where girls continue to bear the invisible weight of stigma, poverty, and emotional neglect. For many, mental health remains an unspoken struggle. Emotional pain is often dismissed as weakness; depression is hidden behind forced smiles. Add to that the daily battle with period poverty, where access to basic menstrual products is scarce and shame still surrounds menstruation, and it becomes clear that the Nigerian girl child faces challenges that extend far beyond the classroom.
With only five years left to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), not a single country with available data has met even half of the 16 goals crucial to adolescent girls’ well-being. The statistics speak volumes, but behind every number is a face, a story waiting to be heard.
It’s in this space, between silence and hope, that Haven Crest Support Network is choosing to act. As the world prepares to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, the Nigeria-based mental health organization is taking the theme “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis” from slogan to reality, focusing on what has long been overlooked: girls’ mental wellness, self-worth, and menstrual dignity.
Cletus Rachael, fondly known online as “Your Cyber Bestie,” is a student at the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, where she studies Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Beyond her academic pursuits, she has become a compassionate voice in the digital mental health space, offering empathy, emotional support, and a safe space for those silently struggling. Often referred to as a “cyber friend,” Rachael’s online presence is built on genuine care and connection. Through her platform, Haven Crest Support Network, she continues the mission that once earned her the feature “Cletus Rachael: A Digital Friend Transforming Mental Health Support Online” reminding people that healing can begin with a simple act of listening.
Beyond Borders: The African Imperative for Girl-Centered Well-being
The theme “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead” gains depth when placed against the framework of Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5: Good Health and Well-being, and Gender Equality. Globally, these SDGs call for eliminating barriers to health, including mental health, and empowering girls to realize their full worth. In Nigeria, and particularly in rural states like Akwa Ibom, many of these barriers persist. According to a study published in the African Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, mental health care is under-resourced, stigma remains pervasive, and misconceptions about mental illness are deeply rooted in cultural beliefs. Similarly, according to a community case study from GUJOS Journal of Social Sciences, adolescent girls in rural Akwa Ibom often face severe poverty that forces them to leave school to support their families, making them more vulnerable to abuse, early sexual experiences, and emotional neglect.
These intersecting challenges, poverty, stigma, limited access to health infrastructures, erode self-worth and block the possibility of menstrual dignity and mental wellness. To turn the slogan into reality, the effort must reach deeply into rural communities, addressing not only physical access to services, but the social norms, gender inequalities, and emotional suppression that most silently shape girls’ lives.
Across Africa, the struggle for girls’ mental wellness, education, and dignity reflects a shared continental challenge. While progress has been made in advancing gender equality, millions of girls across sub-Saharan Africa continue to face structural inequalities, early marriage, menstrual stigma, and the near invisibility of mental health in public health policies. The African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want echoes the same vision as the SDGs, envisioning “an Africa where development is people-driven, relying on the potential of women and youth.” Yet, according to UNICEF and WHO regional data, nearly 70% of mental health cases among African adolescents go untreated, with girls disproportionately affected due to gender norms and limited access to safe spaces. This continental reality shows that improving mental health and menstrual dignity in Nigeria’s rural communities is part of Africa’s broader call to nurture empowered, emotionally healthy girls who can lead the change their communities need.
For Rachael Cletus, the founder of Haven Crest Support Network, this year’s theme for the International Day of the Girl Child, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead” feels personal. It’s more than a global campaign slogan; it’s a reflection of her own journey from pain to purpose.
“This theme reminds every girl that she’s not too small to make a difference, it’s about being proud of who you are, even with your struggles.”
Rachael Cletus, founder of Haven Crest Support Network
Her voice carries both conviction and experience. Years ago, Rachael faced a dark moment that almost ended her life. When her family found out she had attempted suicide, she was met not with compassion, but with blame and disbelief. “No one wanted to hear my side of the story,” she recalls quietly. “They all pounced on me. It was an experience I’ll never forget.” Out of that trauma came a deep resolve, to create a safe space for others who might be silently suffering.
“Haven Crest was born from a place of pain and hope,” she explains. “Nigeria is really, really in the dark when it comes to mental health and depression. I wanted to create something that would make people feel safe, supported, and not alone anymore.” What began as one woman’s response to her own crisis has since grown into a budding support network, one dedicated to breaking the silence around mental health, especially for adolescent girls.
Rachael’s decision to focus on the girl child was shaped by what she saw growing up, a culture where girls are expected to be strong, silent, and self-sufficient, even in the face of trauma.
“Many girls are silently hurting. Some feel unloved, unheard, or unseen. Coupled with family stress, they tend to be overlooked. They deal with stress, anxiety, or shame but have no one to talk to. And when they can’t even afford pads or are made to feel ashamed of their bodies, it affects how they see themselves.”
She knows this reality firsthand. There were times when she too felt invisible, when her emotions were dismissed and her worth questioned.
“Those moments made me realize how much young girls need someone to remind them they are enough. That their voices matter, and that their struggles are not a weakness.”
In many ways, Haven Crest Support Network stands as both her personal redemption and her response to a collective cry for help. Through her work, Rachael is proving that healing doesn’t always begin in a hospital, sometimes, it starts in a conversation, a kind word, or a safe space where a girl finally feels seen.
Across Nigeria, countless girls face silent struggles that often go unseen, from poor access to menstrual products to deep-seated feelings of inadequacy and neglect. For Rachael Cletus, these realities are not statistics; they are lived experiences she has witnessed firsthand in her home state of Akwa Ibom.
“This is where I’m from, and I’ve seen the needs firsthand. Many girls here don’t have the chance to hear words of encouragement or receive even basic things like pads. I wanted to start right where I am, with the girls around me.”
Her decision to begin Haven Crest’s outreach in local schools stems from a belief that change must begin in familiar spaces, within classrooms and communities where girls can feel both seen and safe.
But the urgency runs deeper than education. In many communities, menstruation remains shrouded in shame, leading girls to skip school or isolate themselves. Rachael sees this as a direct attack on their confidence and well-being. “When a girl feels ashamed of her period or doesn’t have access to pads, it affects her confidence. It’s not just about hygiene, it’s about how she sees herself and loves herself.” Through Haven Crest Support Network, she hopes to restore dignity and self-worth, one pad and one conversation at a time.
Breaking the Silence, Building the Future
In a country where mental health remains one of the most overlooked public issues, Rachael Cletus believes that change begins with conversation, and compassion. “The aspect of mental health in Nigeria is a gold mine that is yet to be explored,” she says. “There are so many people hiding under the coverage of one mental illness or the other, and it’s usually ignored or blamed on other factors like financial status.” For Rachael, this silence is deadly. Through Haven Crest Support Network, she is confronting the stigma head-on, creating safe spaces, sharing real stories, and reminding people that “it’s okay to seek help.” Even if it’s just a start, it’s one step toward change.”
Haven Crest’s 2025 International Day of the Girl Child Outreach
As the world prepares to mark the International Day of the Girl Child this October 11, 2025, Haven Crest Support Network is stepping forward with a powerful outreach in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, centered on self-worth, mental wellness, and menstrual hygiene. The initiative recognizes the silent struggles many Nigerian girls face, from mental health stigma and low self-esteem to inadequate menstrual health education. Through this year’s outreach, the organization aims to reach 100–200 girls aged 10–17 from selected secondary schools, empowering them to embrace their worth and understand that their mental and physical health truly matter.
During the event, the team will host motivational talks on emotional well-being, a session on menstrual hygiene management, and an open Q&A forum where girls can freely express their thoughts and ask questions. Each participant will receive sanitary pads, care items, and personalized encouragement notes, small but meaningful gestures to nurture dignity and self-confidence. Beyond a one-day celebration, the outreach marks the foundation for future mental health-focused projects by Haven Crest, aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). “It’s more than just an event,” says founder Rachaelle Cletus. “It’s the beginning of a movement, one that helps girls feel seen, supported, and capable of leading change.”
To make this vision a success, Haven Crest Support Network welcomes partnerships and sponsorships from mental health advocates, community-based organizations, and institutions passionate about empowering young girls. Financial support for sanitary pads, logistics, and educational materials, as well as media collaborations to amplify the message, are highly encouraged. Together, these collective efforts can help break the silence surrounding mental health and create safer, stronger spaces for Nigerian girls to thrive. Interested partners can reach Rachaelle Cletus at rachaelcletus96@gmail.com.
“I hope the girls we meet feel loved, valued, and heard. I hope they leave with more courage than they came with.” But beyond this outreach, she envisions something much bigger, a movement that transforms the way Nigerians understand mental health, especially for the girl child.
“My dream is that one day, no girl in Nigeria will feel like she has to suffer in silence. I hope Haven Crest becomes a light reaching girls in schools, homes, and communities, a place that reminds every girl that her mind, her voice, and her life matter.”
Rachael Cletus, founder of Haven Crest Support Network
It is truly inspiring to see women like Rachael Cletus rise to uplift and empower others. In her rising, may many more women find the courage to stand up, speak out, and advocate for what truly matters, the dignity, voice, and mental well-being of every girl.
As the world prepares to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, may this initiative by Haven Crest Support Network mark not just a day of recognition, but the beginning of lasting change, a movement of healing, hope, and empowerment for girls across Nigeria and beyond.
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