Mariama Barry

Mariama Barry has over twelve years of experience in policing and has served in different positions within the Gambian police force and the United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur. Her focus is on ending female genital mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia and beyond. Currently, Mariama is the assistant officer at the police administration headquarters, where she handles correspondence, planning and policy formulation, and community engagement. Mariama Barry is pursuing a degree in Public Administration at the University of the Gambia(Africa). Mariama believes it is necessary to acquire both academic and professional knowledge and skills in order to intensify the fight against FGM through democratic policing. Mariama is a member of the Gambian police force think tank team, where she focuses on the professional transformation of the police force in tandem with the principles of good governance, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Mariama plans to launch a massive nationwide advocacy campaign against female genital mutilation and provide police officer training on how to investigate this practice, which continues in secret in The Gambia despite being illegal. She is determined to overcome challenges in its enforcement.