Jaha Dukureh

“They’re denying a lot of the pain that women and girls are going through, and just calling it Western influence.”

“This is a battle of women around the world—because you may not sound like me, you may not look like me, but what they are trying to do to our bodies is the same everywhere.”

“I can’t tell you the amount of times in a day that I hear that I’m going to hell.”

“It was important to lead an organization that was by people like us, who have lived experience and know how to tackle these issues in a respectful manner.”

“I remember feeling silenced and alone,the pain was almost too much to bear.”

“These issues are personal to me, they’re part of my life history. We won’t have equality until girls can grow up with control over their own bodies and futures.”

“I am proud to join UN Women in their fight for the rights of women and girls all over Africa. I want to see the day when no parent makes a decision that will change and limit their daughters’ lives. The girls of Africa and worldwide need to know that their future is bigger than they imagine.”