About JAHA DUKUREH

Personal Trauma and Survival

Jaha Dukureh underwent FGM as an infant in Gambia and was sent to the US at 15 for an arranged child marriage.[1][6][17] She describes the profound physical and emotional toll, stating 'I'm not whole' and refusing to let fear deter her activism.[4][17] Her journey from silence to advocacy began in her body, reshaping her into a global leader.[3]

Activism Against FGM and Child Marriage

Dukureh led a Change.org campaign that contributed to Gambia's 2015 FGM ban, a milestone after decades of prevalence.[4][5][16] She founded Safe Hands for Girls to end these practices through education and community engagement.[11][16] As a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and TIME100 Health honoree, she highlights FGM's global scale and roots in cultural norms.[7][8][5]

Leadership and Organizations

Founder and executive director of Safe Hands for Girls, Dukureh now serves as Founder and CEO of Regenerative Hubs, focusing on entrepreneurship and community health.[bio][2][3] She worked as a banker at Wells Fargo while pursuing education and activism.[10] Her book, I Will Scream to the World, details her fight for girls.[7]

Advocacy Approach: Survivor-Led and Holistic

Dukureh advocates holistic empowerment via education, economic opportunities, and community systems over fear-based campaigns.[3][7][9] She critiques NGOs for inefficiency, favoring grassroots models after her banking career exposed systemic gaps.[10][16] Big Sister Movement aligns with her peer-mentoring vision.[9]

Global Recognition and Influence

UN Women Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa, L'Oreal Women of Worth 2015, and Vital Voices speaker.[6][14][1][8] Featured in Glamour, Guardian, TIME, and World Bank events, her story inspires movements like #MeToo extensions.[1][4][5][13][8]

Critiques of Systems and Call to Action

Dukureh questions NGO impacts and urges listening to local voices in Gambia's FGM fight.[10][16] She stresses generational change, personal storytelling, and tipping points in cultural norms.[18][13] Her digital health interview ties advocacy to broader community health.[2][3]