Title: Empowering Girls in Western and Central Africa: Aissata’s Inspiring Journey
Aissata Toure, a resilient 24-year-old from Tiro in the central region of Faranah, Guinea, transitioned from a construction engineer to a passionate gender activist. Her commitment to taking responsibility for her dreams, despite a challenging childhood, is evident in her remarkable journey.
At the age of 16, Aissata, along with like-minded friends, established the Club des Jeunes Filles Leaders de Guinée. This safe space, supported by the Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographics (SWEDD) project, serves as a platform for young girls to share experiences and acquire essential life skills.
Reflecting on her transformation, Aissata states, “The club has enabled me to become a leader and undergo various training courses on gender-based violence (GBV). This experience has shaped me into a strong advocate for girls’ rights.”
Aissata’s impact extends beyond the confines of her remote region, where she fearlessly combats issues like early marriage and female genital mutilation. Through her activism, she has rescued several girls from excision camps, a feat that she takes immense pride in.
“This is my greatest source of pride,” Aissata asserts. “A simple act can save a life. Silence makes us complicit in the atrocities against women and girls, potentially affecting the rest of their lives significantly.”
