Jaha Dukureh

Women’s Rights Activist & Anti-FGM Campaigner


Jaha is described as the lightning rod for change in The Gambia. After being subjected to the practice of FGM, she was adamant to use her voice and raise awareness in The Gambia and globally, and has become the leading voice of a new generation of African women rising up to end FGM and child marriage. Jaha is the founder of Safe Hands for Girls, a survivor led organisation, whose grassroots programmes create awareness of FGM and other forms of violence against women through education, advocacy and youth-led campaigns. Its work led to FGM being banned in The Gambia in 2015. Jaha is currently focused on building an African women’s grassroot leaders’ network, The Big Sisters Movement, to end FGM and child marriage by 2030. Jaha leads by example to inspire women and girls to become leaders in creating a better future for their communities and countries.

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