Fatou Baldeh

Fatou Baldeh (born 1983) is a Gambian-British women's rights activist. Survivor of FGM, founder and CEO of Women in Liberation and Leadership (WILL). Named TIME Woman of the Year 2025, International Women of Courage Award 2024, MBE. Documented abuses under Yahya Jammeh regime for Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission. Quotes Courage to me means standing against harmful practices and injustice that society has normalized, regardless of where they may stem from. I was extremely proud to have had this platform to stress the need for the world to think about the over 230 million girls around the world who are at risk of being mutilated in the name of culture and tradition. This recognition is so meaningful. I believe in the power of role models, especially for young girls and women. This honour sends a powerful message to girls, particularly those from my background, that it is okay to speak up against injustice. It's 2025, and little girls are being pinned down and their genitals are being cut in the name of culture and tradition. We must move beyond punishment alone. What is needed is transformation. FGM is not solely a woman's issue; it is a societal failure. The law must be enforced, certainly. But it is the culture that must be changed. Only then can we truly safeguard our girls. If we do not speak on this issue, it's never going to end. We must break the cycle. Your voice matters, and your leadership starts right where you are. Real change begins in communities, in conversations, and in the courage to question harmful norms. External links