Our Team
Jaha Dukureh
Executive Director
Jaha has led the fight in The Gambia, Africa, the U.S. and around the world to end female genital mutilation (FGM). She is currently the Regional UN Women Ambassador for Africa and an international spokesperson for L’Oréal Paris.
Jaha was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for her work on FGM, won the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal.
Jaha has discovered, during her campaigning throughout The Gambia, that the only way to achieve gender equality and end all forms of violence against women and girls is by uplifting them out of poverty. With this passion, she started a regenerative agriculture program for women affected by FGM in The Gambia, to create an alternative means of income for them. The program has grown to benefit thousands of female-led households and is now looking to expand across the whole Great Green Wall region and beyond.
Alhagie Manka
Chief of Staff – Gambia
Manka is a highly accomplished production fixer and film producer in West Africa, with nearly two decades of experience. Renowned as a Director of Photography and line producer, he has collaborated with major international broadcasters like Amazon Prime, BBC, and Al Jazeera. His contributions to Gambian cinema include acclaimed films such as ‘Welcome to the Smiling Coast and Gifts From Babylon’, as well as international TV productions.
Beyond filmmaking, Manka is a dedicated gender and human rights activist, passionate about children’s rights, girls’ education, and gender equality. He plays a key role as Chief of Staff for Safe Hands for Girls in The Gambia, where he facilitates initiatives that empower young girls and serves as a liaison between the Gambia and US offices. As CEO of State of Mic, Gambia’s leading multimedia agency, he also spearheads high-profile events and advocacy campaigns for organizations such as the United Nations and government agencies, using media as a tool for social change.
Tida Njei
Finance and Administration Manager
Tida brings extensive experience in financial management, budgeting, and organizational administration. Tida, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy and is currently pursuing a Master’s in International Finance and Accounting.
With a strong background in financial planning and operational efficiency, Tida, ensures the organization’s resources are effectively managed to support its mission of empowering girls and advocating for their rights.
Passionate about transparency and accountability, Tida plays a key role in driving financial sustainability and operational excellence within the organization.
Isatou Bah
Programs Assistant
Isatou is an Activist and a Development studies student at the University of The Gambia.
Isatou is passionate about women’s involvement in development initiatives and is dedicated to fostering social change and community empowerment.
Henry Rowlands
Chief Advisor
Henry is a leading expert on Regenerative Agriculture and has spent the last 15 years working for multiple organizations and governments to set up systems that enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Henry was part of the Science Committee for the Soil Carbon Initiative and was on the Sustainable Protein Design Team for the Manitoba Government in Canada.
Henry is currently the Co-Founder and CEO of Soil in Formation, PBC, a groundbreaking soil measurement, reporting and verification data company based in the U.S.. Henry is also Founder of The Detox Project and a Board Member of the Institute for Preventive Health.