Jaha Dukureh

Error creating thumbnail:

Jaha Dukureh at EDD18 (cropped)

Jaha Dukureh (born 1989) is a Gambian women's rights activist and anti-female genital mutilation (FGM) campaigner. She is the founder and executive director of Safe Hands for Girls, an organization that works to end FGM and child marriage. Dukureh was named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world in 2016.

Early Life

Jaha Dukureh was born in The Gambia and underwent FGM as an infant. At the age of 15, she was sent to the United States for an arranged marriage. After enduring years of abuse, she managed to leave the marriage and later became a U.S. citizen.

Activism

Dukureh's personal experiences with FGM and child marriage fueled her activism. In 2013, she founded Safe Hands for Girls, which provides support to survivors of FGM and advocates for the end of the practice. The organization also works to end child marriage and other forms of gender-based violence.

In 2015, Dukureh led a successful campaign that resulted in the Obama administration ordering a federal investigation into the prevalence of FGM in the United States. Her advocacy also contributed to the Gambian government's decision to ban FGM in 2015.

Recognition

Jaha Dukureh has received numerous accolades for her work. In 2016, she was named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. She has also been recognized by the United Nations and other international organizations for her efforts to end FGM and child marriage.

Personal Life

Dukureh is married and has children. She continues to split her time between the United States and The Gambia, working tirelessly to advocate for women's rights and the end of harmful traditional practices.

See Also

• Female genital mutilation
• Child marriage
• Women's rights
• Safe Hands for Girls
• Time 100