| Fatou Baldeh | |
| Honorific Suffix: | MBE |
| Birth Date: | December |
| Nationality: | Gambian |
| Alma Mater: | University of Wolverhampton Queen Margaret University |
| Occupation: | 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]
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]
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 Ambassador 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]