Celebrating Dr Fatou Baldeh and women’s rights: from activism to scholarship

In recognition of her work, she was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her outstanding service to migrant women in Scotland and in 2024, received the US State Department’s International Women of Courage Award. This was followed by the Geneva Summit Women’s Rights Award, acknowledging her leadership and courage in fighting for the human dignity of women and girls in The Gambia and worldwide. She has recently been recognised as one of TIME’s Women of The Year for 2025.

Dr Fatou Baldeh's founded Women in Liberation and Leadership (WILL), an organisation dedicated to transforming and protecting the lives and rights of women in the region. Her relentless advocacy has not only raised awareness about the health consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) but has played a pivotal role in influencing policy decisions to uphold the dignity and human rights of African women and girls.

Her commitment stems from her own experience with FGM, which has fueled her lifelong mission to eradicate it. Her academic journey includes a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Health from the University of Wolverhampton and a Master’s in Sexual and Reproductive Health from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

She is also a Research Fellow at the Medical Research Council Unit in The Gambia and is part of the NIHR Global Health Research Group. Despite her high-profile advocacy work, she has maintained a strong academic focus, recently beginning her PhD research at CCCU.

Reflecting on an extraordinary year

“I feel honoured in recognition of my work against FGM and other issues affecting Gambian women and girls,” said Dr Baldeh.

"My personal experience, combined with my grassroots work with women and men across The Gambia, has revealed the intersectionality between socio-cultural norms and infertility. This, along with the stigma and discrimination faced by couples struggling with infertility and the taboo surrounding male infertility, has inspired my research on male infertility. I consider myself very lucky to be able to pursue a PhD in this area.”

A surreal moment for Dr Baldeh was standing alongside former First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, at the White House while receiving the International Women of Courage Award. “When I started campaigning for women’s rights and specifically against the bill which sought to legalise Female Genital Mutilation in The Gambia, my focus was on protecting the lives of young girls. Never had I imagined that my actions would put me on the world stage at the White House.”

Dr Baldeh’s PhD focus at Canterbury Christ Church University explores and highlights the intricate link between socio-cultural practices, gender norms and gender inequalities and how this may affect access to infertility care seeking in The Gambia, especially among men.

“I am confident that the excellent support and guidance I am receiving from the University, particularly my supervisors, will help me to achieve my academic goal and enhance the quality of my work.

“Being accepted for a fully funded PhD research program on a topic of great interest provided a sense of privilege and purpose. The PhD scholarship was my first accomplishment in the past year. It put me on an extraordinary journey of knowledge-seeking and inspiration, and I had to anchor myself mentally and spiritually for this new chapter of my life’s journey.”

While balancing her PhD, Dr Baldeh continues her advocacy work. She credits her team at Women in Liberation and Leadership (WILL) for enabling her to focus on her academic goals.

Challenges and strategies for balances

Dr Baldeh acknowledges the challenges of managing her PhD research with her advocacy and international engagements. "It’s been overwhelming at times," she said. “But my commitment to both my academic work and my advocacy keeps me focused." Her supervisory team at CCCU has played a crucial role in her academic journey, offering encouragement and understanding.

Both Julie Balen, Professor of Health Systems and Global Change at CCCU, and Dr Anna Afferri, Senior Research Fellow at CCCU, are Honorary Senior Research Fellows at MRC Gambia at the LSHTM, and Dr Fatou’s supervisors.

Professor Balen said: “We are absolutely delighted to supervise and support Fatou on this exciting Doctoral research programme at CCCU, in collaboration with our international partners. Fatou is an inspiration to all of us as she continues to drive her PhD forward alongside her incredible activism."

Lessons for PhD students

Dr Baldeh’s experiences offer insights for fellow PhD students. "PhD research is a journey," she said. "It requires focus, perseverance, and small, consistent goals. Her advice to fellow students is simple but effective: "Ask yourself, 'What is my priority now?' and keep moving forward, one step at a time."

Her personal and advocacy experiences have shaped her approach to research. “I have been able to integrate community intervention aspects into my research, which has made the journey more meaningful,” she notes. Dr Baldeh believes that personal passion and academic interests can complement each other, which can be an immense motivator throughout the PhD process.

Education’s role in advocacy

Dr Baldeh views education as a powerful tool for challenging harmful practices like FGM. "Education unlocks the mind," she said, explaining that her academic journey has transformed her understanding of FGM and its health impacts. Her Masters degree deepened her knowledge of the link between FGM and health complications, which fueled her desire to take action. Now, her PhD research highlights the complex intersections of socio-cultural practices, gender norms, and health.

"I hope my PhD research will contribute to gender equality by reshaping socio-cultural norms and offering women more choices," she explained.

Her goal is to continue bridging academia and activism, combining research with real-world impact. “Activism guided by knowledge can be more effective,” she states, expressing her desire to influence change through both scholarship and action.