2022 Recipient
Djessou Kouyate
Djessou Kouyate is the Executive Director of The Inter-African Committee (USA) on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children. The U.S. wing was created in 2006 to promote gender equality and improve African women's and children's health by eliminating harmful traditional practices and promoting ones that benefit the community.
Today, Djessou is working on a bill in collaboration with other advocates to amend FGM law in the State of Maryland. The bill will also include a curriculum for Family Life Education in all Maryland schools.
As the Co-founder of “Vacances Sans Excision” (Summer without FGM), Djessou leads an annual summer camp to raise awareness and understanding of FGM. At this camp, educators and campers can actively be involved in preventing FGM. Organized by the United Nations and in collaboration with the State Department, Djessou also runs a Model UN stimulation. Here, campers can play the role of country delegates and debate topics related to social, political, economic, peace, and human rights.
A public speaker and organizer, Djessou uses her voice to raise awareness of FGM/C in the United States through conferences and webinars. She works closely with stakeholders, including national and international governments, the United Nations, NGOs, community and religious leaders, youth, and survivors, to vote and implement laws.
In 2012, she coordinated, managed, and delivered the successful high-level event, Bridge between USA and Africa. Among the esteemed guests were the first ladies from Burkina Faso and Niger, dignitaries from the State Department, USAID, World Bank, UN, religious and community leaders, and the diaspora communities.
Djessou has always worked alongside her father, H.E. Dr. Morissanda Kouyate, the recently appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in Guinea and the laureate of the United Nations Nelson Mandela Prize to End FGM for the work in their native country, Guinea, and around the world.
Djessou holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Maryland University College and a Certification in Project Management from Georgetown University.
Djessou is in the mission to END FGM/C and Child Mariage.
According to the research, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia where FGM is practiced.
“Let's join forces to eradicate harmful practices!”
“La Lutte Continue!”