Fatou Baldeh

Fatou Baldeh MBE
Born	December 1983 (age 41–42) The Gambia
Nationality	Gambian citizenship
Alma mater	University of Wolverhampton Queen Margaret University
Occupation(s)	Human rights activist, women's rights activist
Known for	Anti-FGM campaigner in Scotland
Awards	Member of the Order of the British Empire

Fatou Baldeh MBE (born December 1983)^[1] is a Gambian women's rights activist who campaigns to end female genital mutilation (FGM).^[2]

Early life and education

Baldeh underwent female genital mutilation at the age of seven and became a victim of mutilation similar to her mother.^[3][4]

Baldeh completed a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Health at the University of Wolverhampton and completed her master's degree in sexual and reproductive health at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.^[5][6]

Career and activism

After completing her studies, she worked for the Dignity Alert Research Forum in Edinburgh working to strengthen the women's rights and human rights;^[7] she was appointed as the director of the Dignity Alert Research Forum in May 2015.^[8]

In 2013, she publicly pointed out the issues of female genital mutilation of girls in Scotland and she was heavily criticised for such statements. On 30 January 2014, Baldeh subsequently appeared before the Equal Opportunities Committee at the Scottish Parliament where she was asked to engage in an individual presentation to explain the about the measures and guidelines required to be implemented in order to prevent young women from being victims of FGM in Scotland.^[9]

After spending most of her life as an activist in Scotland, Baldeh returned to The Gambia in 2018. She founded the Women in Liberation and Leadership (WILL) organisation after returning to Gambia.^[10] She has also conducted workshops and seminars in Gambia and also at the International Center for Transitional Justice.^[11]

In March 2020, Baldeh received a She Award for her outstanding contribution in empowering girls and women in Gambia.^[12] In January 2020, she was given the MBE by the British High Commissioner to the Gambia, Sharon Wardle, as a result of the 2019 Special Honours, in recognition of her valuable efforts and commitments regarding advocating black minority and ethnic communities in Scotland.^[13]

References

1. "Mrs Fatou Baldeh". reportlet.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
2. "Violence Unseen". Alicia Bruce. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
3. "Female mutilation: 'I was screaming'". BBC News. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
4. Adams, Lucy (15 November 2013). "'I was screaming for my mother'". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
5. "QMU and DARF join forces to raise awareness of female genital mutilation in Scotland". Mynewsdesk (Press release). 4 December 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
6. Baldeh, Fatou (7 August 2019). "How A Truth Commission on Past Human's Rights Violation has Started a Conversation on Sexual Violence in Gambia". Impakter. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
7. Adams, Lucy (15 November 2013). "Female genital mutilation 'rising in soft-touch Scotland'". BBC News. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
8. "DIGNITY ALERT AND RESEARCH FORUM LIMITED – Filing history (free information from Companies House)". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
9. "Comment: A survivor of female genital mutilation speaks out". HeraldScotland. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
10. "Supporting safe spaces as a tool for promoting women's health, dignity and wellbeing". UNFPA Gambia. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
11. "Gambia: Traditional Communicators, Women Lead the Way for Justice in the Gambia". International Center for Transitional Justice (New York). 31 January 2019 – via allafrica.com.
12. Loum, Patience (9 March 2020). "Groundbreaking: She Awards Gambia Holds Its Inaugural Awards Night". The Chronicle Gambia. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
13. "Her majesty the queen honours two Gambian nationals for outstanding service – The Point". thepoint.gm. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2021.