The girl who said no to FGM 

Wait, she started a campaign in 2013 and her work let to its banning just 3 years later? This woman is amazing!

sorry to say but in some countries it is better to be born a goat than a girl.....shame on them forever.

She should get a Nobel Prize

she isn't a woman, she's a GODDESS, SHE'S BRAVE!

My mind is blow that they're taught they cannot have kids without fgm.

I cried at the end when the president banned it. This is huge for Africa. Especially in Islam countries. I'm so proud of her work.

If God wanted us to have parts of our body missing he would have made us that way.

I am so sorry for the loss of all of the women affected by FGM.

The way she talked with people she didn't agree with, respectful and listening to their point of view!! That is something really to learn from this amazing woman!

A man shouldn't be able to tell whether or not manipulating a woman's body is legal

IF A MAN CAN FEEL PLEASURE THEN A WOMAN SHOULD TOO GOD DAMN

This is the problem with people. "It always been done" is not a reason to continue doing something. That's ludicrous. If a practice is causing pain and suffering and even death, it's time to change and stop. I don't see how she can respect these men given her education. She should have brought the doctor with her.

It took one person with the will to make a difference. I salute you sister

FGM is legally banned in The Gambia, but unfortunately it is Still practiced "underground". I am glad this lady has stood up. I have no idea how much pain all these women went through. Stay blessed

I do not understand how this man is an Imam. He clearly does not know what Islam teaches and what not. FGM is not allowed!!!

OMG this women is a role model of the century, she used her own life experience to open up awareness of FGM and respectfully used the leaders words or peoples ignorance to correct them.. this made me cry and I just want to shake her hand

9 years ago I met by best friend who was ravaged by this practice.. 7 months ago we buried her due to the horrors brought on by this brutality.. her memory will carry on through the young women and men who fight against this inhumane practice...

Brave woman going back and doing her best to change people's mind about such a terrible topic. Great work Guardian.

I was almost had it done when i was 6/7 years old. My mum suggested that it was time and i didn't know what it was, all i was told was that it will keep me clean and pure. But i was saved from it by my dad. Unfortunately, my older sis had done it, she had a separate dad. She never talks about it. It breaks my heart i still remember her scream and the rope/cloth that they tied her, to keep legs together after it was done. The problem is lack of education, people just do it because it was done for many years and years so no one questions it

My mom told me she was circumcised when she was 5 and she said she still remembers how painful it was so she had it done for me when I was a baby. She said it's sunnah too, it's not just happening in Africa, this is common but rarely talked about in Indonesia. I still hate my mother for it. It's true, ignorance is bliss and my mother doesn't think it's wrong and if I never found out about how bad fgm is I wouldn't feel like I've been dismembered

Wow, Jaha Dukureh is a brave woman. Well done girl, l'm so proud of you. Big up!

Watching this makes me feel physically sick

Men in that country are a prime example of a selfish lovers come on guys it's no fun if she not enjoying it..

The girls that she spoke to in the class were so brave to ask questions etc.

These women are forced into this by "tradition" while also "traditionally" not being taught to read... Not a coincidence

I would love to see the lines in Qur'an where it says that FGM should be performed. I greatly doubt that it's there. And there's so many Islamic countries that don't have this tradition.

this is very personal to me as person who's country has a lot of fgm. Many people in my family have not had it done. I want to make a change too

"Will always be itching"- euphemism for "wanting sexual pleasure." So, what God /Allat created and put in a woman, is to be removed? That is being presumptious, as if a Human knew better than God.

I applaud this woman for standing up for women's right.

For anyone that has undergone this, it can be reversed. There is a rare procedure called clitoroplasty performed by a handful of doctors. I underwent this and if you have too, don't give up hope ❤️

In my worst dream I can not imagine having FGM! I am so sorry for all the girls with FGM!!!!

A brave woman, confronting the Islamic authority figures in her homeland. This is a tough issue. Seems very clearcut to us Westerners (and morally it is), but stamping it out is much more difficult.

This woman is amazing. She realized what strategy will work and used it. People need to get their community leaders on board and people will follow. Fighting the system from the outside doesn't work.

my heart cries out to this. I am a victim of FGM, my clitoris was removed when i was a young girl without my mother knowing while i was in the care of my paternal grandmother. As a teenager, i have always wondered what a clit was and why women always referred to it as a feel-good spot. It really broke me when i realized that i didn't have one when i found out about my FGM in divorce papers, i'm not going to lie, it really hurt and it gave me a lot of distrust against my grandparents and Islam in general. I feel inadequate as a woman, i can't feel good and it saddens me because what if my future partner sees that i can't feel good too? Would he be discouraged? This video touches a really tender spot in my heart because it is rarely ever talked about and is such a taboo topic. I am blessed to have found this woman, a true feminist pushing for the greater good in places where topics like this can be very dangerous to speak against. She is a hero, this brings tears to my eyes, god bless her heart for her bravery.

She's not trying to enforce anything like an outsider saviour, she's educating and respectfully and patiently educating her community generations throughout. She is very admirable and will have a long lasting impact

God made women perfectly there is no need for man to redesign women's body if there is no biological need. We are perfectly made the way God want us to be.

I admire the inner strength she has. She is so calm and collected even when she is met with ignorant opinions. Such a role model

Men will never understand the pain women go through especially the pain related to FGM as woman do.

'The man may be the head of the household. But the woman is the neck, and she can turn the head whichever way she pleases.' Superb negotiating with the Imam. I am so in awe.

If she weren't there with a camera crew, she would have been killed and forgotten about before her campaign even left her household.

This made me cry. This woman is such an inspiration! To go through what she has done and still have the will to fight for others is just superhuman.

women are forming women only villages in Africa now and stopping this fgm , it's slowly dying out thankgod.

FGM! An evil that has been followed over the globe. One can never end this documentary without wetting their eyes.... Congratulations for the success.....

Lots of mansplainers trying to deter this brave lady.

Did you hear the Gambian Auntie who supports FGM? We are not "educated." Education.Thats when enlightening begins and minds change. This Sister is Golden. 👑

She's great!She listened to what the imam had to say, then presented her argument and in the end the man said FGM was a choice and "not compulsory". of course, he's an old fox and knows more people will listen to his suggestions than hers, but still...this is how you roll!

It breaks my heart that she was shipped overseas as a child into a marriage and no one could stop it.

wow! What a beautiful woman -- inside and out! And so concerned for others' well-being. A truly exceptional person. I hope she has a wonderful life and is protected from all evil.

On behalf of all the uncountable generation of girls you've saved from this barbaric mutilation, I say "THANK YOU"

I cried a bit when they said they banned FGM ! That’s amazing ! She’s doing gods work that’s for sure.

im so proud of her. really...

"respect your elders" is a saying I wish would disappear off the face of this earth. there is no basis in following tradition just because someone old says to. this is heartbreaking to watch happen to millions of girls. i am so glad this work is being done, she is a hero!

Omg. I had no idea this was going to have a happy ending. This woman has saved thousands of lives.

Much respect to her ✊🏾! The fact that she is doing all of this, breaking generational curses and leading a campaign for others! She deserves a Nobel Prize!

In tears over how inspiring this woman is. Protecting others and fighting for women to have freedom in their bodies, Jaha should get a Nobel Peace Prize or something.

Ugh why is he an Imam 😩 ? he is sooo uneducated all around in so many levels. Islam , logically etc anywayssss I'm so happy this woman is educated to see and educate all the other women that it's traditional, fatal, and pointless ( only pleasurable to the man).

Somalia is one of the leading countries when it comes to the practice of FGM. I went through it and I have been always a topic of contention with my family. I am glad she changed the laws in her country and I hope to see Somalia ban it.

What a Triumph for Gambian Girls!

The excruciating pain is better than ‘itching’???

this woman deserves endless support and an award for her bravery. as a mother to a daughter, my heart is so full watching her fight for our children’s rights.

I am in my mid teens, I didnt know about FGM until yesturday when i was watching videos about africa. I couldnt believe that these women have had this done to them!! I started to cry, this women is amazing!!! I hope that all girls will be protected in the future

How/Why can these people believe such torture AS FGM is okay? Oh my Gosh! Heaven help these minds to be corrected because it sounds like an uphill battle! Jaha Dukureh you are a beautiful lady and you are doing a great work - many blessings wished for you and those working with you to end such a horrendous practice. MERCY!

Give this woman her peace prize already!

i’m watching this for the first time and am crying when the father said to not cut the baby. i know that it’s not much but it takes much respect for his daughter and courage to take a step back to research and try to learn something new that he has known his entire life.

The way she interacts with a variety of people (men, government, women, people who are uneducated) is great!! She gets her message across without making people feel like they are less than in their conversations and with respect to her community 🙏 much love ❤️❤️

Her and her family are so pretty 😩

she should go down in history books as the woman who stopped FGM.... this is the right movement for women around the world.... this is what is more important than the issues modern femmist thinks we have.......

I’m so happy my dad said no for me as a child to my mum 😁

This woman in incredible!! So brave, smart, strong, calm cool and collective, she deserves a Nobel prize for sure! She changed the world, and prevent girls from a world of pain!! It's a choice and not a must. We need more powerful women like her in this world.

This lady definitely deserves a Nobel Peace Prize

GOOD FOR YOU!!!! Im a Christian and respect what u have done to help other's!!

The Imam's ego had to be massaged before he backed off a bit and announced the practice "not compulsory". If the clerics do not equate acceptance of reason when it contradicts what they previously preached with "defeat"; and if they would more readily embrace better ideas instead, everyone would be better off, including themselves.

If our body needs changing then we wouldn't be born with parts of our body 'The Creator knows' we need. And I'm not speaking of children born with unfortunate deformities. I'm guessing these people misunderstand their religion.

She’s so smart and calm. Great job!

She did so much it's incredible! I wanted to cry near the end because thanks to her the whole country banned FGM. just wow.

THIS WOMAN IS A FUCKING GENUIS 💛

This is my language. And I can relate so much because it is happened to me. And the forced marrige too. Is soo sad 😔

“If you feel insignificant, you better think again. You’re part of something way BIGGER”!!! This ending gave me goosebumps. Well Done

One of my research papers was on FGM. My professor was quite impressed and gave me a prefect score. He then asked me to do a PowerPoint presentation to help educate the class because prior to the assignment I, nor anyone in my class, had never heard of this before. FGM is atrociously inhumane and deplorable and I pray that this horrific mutilation is never performed again.

I think that what makes a difference, is that no one shouted over the other when talking. Everyone spoke calmly and listened to each other’s point of view. This was very amazing to watch . Congratulations on making this custom become a thing of the pass.

It is traditional, not Islamic. It is traditional in most parts of Africa. It's practised in my culture, Igboland of South Eastern Nigeria, and we are NOT Muslims. The practice is phasing out, though. I am from a large family as my father married many wives. My Sisters from 1970s have not been cut. My dad was culturally progressive and he left the decision to the girls and their husbands. I was neither for it nor against it. How could I take a position about something I did not understand? I am not a woman. I am, though, for male circumcision both for cultural reasons and medical cleanness. I admire the work the young woman has done and her successes. Nothing in any culture is set in stone. You can change any aspect of a culture that doesn't make a rational sense if you go about it the right way. The power of reason is our greatest tool as humans to bring about a different outcome.

Congratulations on your fantastic achievement. You truly are an angel of God in your quest to stop this abuse of young girls. May God bless you xx

MRS. JAHA DUKURA, May your name be PRAISED for all of time for the permanent advancement of females of ANY age to not be abused, cut, mangled, mentally damaged with long term anxiety, dysfunction, even PTSD. YOU ARE A HERO FOR all people by reminding, affirming, and motivating change to protect us from obsolete, if not barbaric, traditions to alter a body of any minor or unwilling, or uneducated person! NO ONE SHOULD EVER EVER EVER have the position of POWER to surgically, or barbarically, remove ANY body part HUMANS are BORN WITH! Adults, once educated on the topic, can always go and do a procedure to alter their sexual sensations, remove them or reduce them. But under NO OTHER circumstances does ANYONE have the right to tell a minor or an uneducated person to give up parts of their body, their organs. SKIN is the LARGEST ORGAN on the human body. The vulva and penile skin is extremely fine tuned specialty skin with up to 1000 times more nerve endings in one zone than on some other areas of the body. To remove foreskin-THE MOST SENSITIVE SKIN with the MOST nerve endings, is an ONGOING TRAGEDY. Yes men are left with some of that skin. But if they had ever felt the difference as an adult, the majority would KEEP that very wonderfully sensitive skin God designed for men. Women's clitoris has MORE nerve endings in it than the entire penis. To remove it is MORE than equivalent to removing all the outer skin nerves of the penis, leaving only nerves on the inside of the shaft. LEAVE female anatomy alone. It's very very precious and gives a wonderful gift between husband and wife when they become one, in body, and commitment. Those two parts were PERFECTLY designed to work together for equal pleasures of love, desire, and therefore brings about new life just as perfectly. THANK YOU JAHA 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000 times... for all the girls in the future that will be saved from a life of dealing with frustration, anger, anxiety, confusion, self loathing, negative body image, suicide, loss of sensual desires, painful sexual activity, infections, illness, death, fear, powerlessness. YOU GAVE ALL THESE WOMEN and MOTHERS and GRANDMOTHERS, SISTERS, AUNTS the ability to support one another to keep holding ground of sane, sound permanent life decisions. WE APPLAUD YOU JAHA!!!!!!!!!

Standing up to one of the most important religious leaders in the country, i'm amazed at her bravery!

The way she fearlessly defended her idea was amazing, so graceful and kind even when they were saying things that were totally wrong!

I'm 🇬🇲 gambian but never heard of fgm till this morning began research and I became informed thanks

unbelievable, what a great woman, so brave! congratulations for this goal! and it shows that religious people (all together) never really read the books ;) I hope it will soon get better ....

What an incredibly diplomatic and strong woman. Thank you for your amazing work Jaha.

Props to her! Reminds me of a documentary I saw a few years ago called “The Cruel Cut” about a young woman in the uk spreading awareness and looking to stop the practice of FGM.

it's crazy to hear that one woman saying that women can't deliver a baby if she's not cut because fgm actually can and often does make it more difficult to deliver than it'd be otherwise

This is why i'm becoming a female body builder. If I'm super strong with muscle, no one can hurt me

Wow...such a great documentary. Jaha you are a true advocate for all women in the world who have to face this!!

Jaha you are a hero my friend :*

Woooow! Mad respect to Jaha for her dedication to ending this scourge on women! It's incredible that in 3 years time she was able to stop this abominable practice in The Gambia. To think of all those baby girls that have been born in the past coming-up- on-6 years is just..... thanks to everyone who had a hand in stopping this, including the filming and support. You guys rock.🦋

I'm crying this so painful to hear but I'm so so glad this absolute goddess took it onto herself to stop FGM

17:24 was such a beautiful moment made me cry that was huge! You go! Sending love and encouragement.

What an amazing woman. Her work has saved many women's lives. Much respect.

my legs were very very shut for the entirety of this video. I like the Gambia though and am really happy to hear this.

What I really admire about Jaha, is her tremendous respect and esteem for others. Even in confronting people who caused her harm, or people who are causing others harm, she remains humble and gentle. I think that to me, that is the greatest form of bravery, acting out of love and kindness. She has every right to be angry for the injustices she suffered, I felt angry just watching her story! Yet, she acts in love. As a Christian, I must say that this is a tremendous lesson for me. You're a heroine Jaha! And your beauty is striking!

I’m an MD and this is wonderful work. She has fantastic approach.