by Omar Wally
Gambia’s Jaha Dukureh, an anti-FGM campaigner, has been named one of the world’s most influential leaders by the Time Magazine.
Dukureh, lead campaigner in the Guardian’s global media campaign to end female genital mutilation, was honoured for her work in the United States and The Gambia. Her change.org petition, received more than 220,000 signatures.
In an interview with Observer Light, Jaha said, “You have to remember not only am I from the smallest country in mainland Africa, but I am also from Gambisara and your typical Sarahule girl.”
Jaha said she never in a million years expected anything like being part of the most influential people in the world. “But my campaign against FGM put me in a good position to fulfill these roles, I have been doing a lot of work in relation to FGM both in Gambia and the United States.”