Imam Baba Leigh

The Gambia

Imam Baba Leigh was awarded both the West African Shield Award and the overall African Shield Award 2013 for his work promoting women and girls rights, and his campaigns against the death penalty in The Gambia.

Among other causes, he has worked to raise awareness about the health risks linked to female genital mutilation, fighting the belief that the practice is a religious obligation. He has also worked towards peaceful coexistence among communities of different religious beliefs.