Isatou Touray

Isatou Touray is an African feminist activist and academic from the Gambia. In September 2016, she announced her candidature for the Presidency of the Gambia, making her the first ever female candidate in history to run for this office. Touray has been known for her decades-long efforts towards women's sexual and reproductive health and rights, including the end to female genital mutilation (FGM) in the Gambia.

Isatou Touray was born on the 17th March 1955 in a working-class home in Banjul to Sunkaru Jarra, a Chief Cook in The Lady Wright, and Haddy Konteh a native of Bundungka Kunda and a homemaker. She attended the Albion School and Wesley Primary School in Banjul and then graduated from Crab Island Secondary Technical School after which she attended The Gambia College, graduating in 1977 as a teacher.

Isatou received a B.A Hons, Upper Class in Education and English from Usmanu Dan Fodio University, in Sokoto, Nigeria and a master's degree in Development Studies with Specialization in Women and Development, from The Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in the Hague, The Netherlands. In 2004, she received a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Development Studies with emphasis on Gender, from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom.

Dr. Isatou Touray was the co-founder and Executive Director of the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP), a national and international leader in the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). From 2009-2014 she served as Secretary General and Board member of the Inter African Committee (IAC) a Pan African Network on the elimination of Harmful Traditional Practices with a membership of over 28 African countries. She has supported a lot of grassroots groups to organize and contribute to national development of the Gambia which earned her great respect and recognition across the country. She contributed a lot in the advocacy in advancing policy and development issues in The Gambia and was instrumental in leading the grassroots movement to end female genital mutilation in the country. Dr. Isatou Touray is also a founder of the Gender Unit of the Management Development Institute and introduced a Diploma in Gender and Development programme which she coordinated for over 15 years.

Winner of the One Hundred Heroines of the World on Women's Rights University of Rutgers, Rochester Women's Health Project

Women's Bureau Award

United States of America Woman of Courage Award 2008

Gambia News and Report Woman of the Year 2008

FAMEDEV Gender Award 2011