“Happy Muslim Women’s Day! To every Muslim woman; You are powerful, capable, and deserving of every opportunity that comes your way. Remember that your voice matters!” Wuday Jaiteh is a 22-year-old law student at the University of The Gambia, and a graduate of and mentor for our partner Starfish International.
Starfish International is a member of the She’s the First Partner Coalition, an STF program ensuring girls like Wuday have the support they need to grasp every opportunity that comes their way. Donate now to support the Partner Coalition!
Get to know this powerhouse young woman through our Q&A!
(This interview has been edited for length and clarity)
She's the First: After graduating high school and Starfish International’s mentorship program, why did you want to come back to serve as a mentor?
Wuday: I returned to Starfish to serve as a mentor because I’ve seen the impact my mentors had in my life and I want to do the same for the young ones. I do the work because I grew up around a lot of suffering and injustice and as the first girl child of my family, I want to show the rest of my community what is possible through education.
Most of them believe that the education of girls is a waste of time and effort because they will be married off and benefit other families. I could have been one of those girls in my village who had dropped out and was married off but for me, I think my story is different because I had mentors in my life who know the importance of education. And I don’t in any way think I am better than the rest of the girls who didn’t have the same chance as me—and that is why I want to use mentorship at Starfish International as a tool to leverage those injustices and serve as a voice for those many girls.
“I want to show the rest of my community what is possible through education. ”
She’s the First: Why is it so important that girls have strong women role models from their own communities?
Wuday: The importance of girls having women role models in their lives cannot be overemphasized. It makes your journey more visible for you because you see an example of possibilities and not just imagination. Seeing women who look like them, come from similar backgrounds, and have overcome similar challenges can empower girls to believe in their own potential and possibilities. Representation matters because it helps girls envision themselves achieving success and breaking barriers.
Teenage Wuday in her secondary school uniform.
She's the First: When did you graduate from high school, and what did that mean to you?
Wuday: Being the first child of my parents to graduate high school in 2020 means power to me. It represents a groundbreaking accomplishment for me. I come from a village where girls' education is not very encouraged and being lucky enough to graduate means to me that dreams do come true, and if you put in the hard work it will definitely come true. It also represents empowerment and independence to me.
She's the First: How has Starfish International helped you achieve your goals? Which aspects of their program had the greatest impact on you?
Wuday: Starfish came into my life at a time when it was hard for me to even say my name in public. When I first joined, I didn’t know I was going to stay for long but later I realized Starfish was more than a library for me, it became my home, my family, a safe space I can always land at, and the mentors will be there to support me. I was surrounded by so much love and I had the space to talk about anything which most girls my age didn’t have. I was guided to dream and follow my dreams.
My growth from a girl who couldn’t say her name in public to now this young powerful woman, who is in her final year of University, serving as a role model in her community and holding different leadership positions at Starfish and at school is a testament of Starfish’s support in my life.
Wuday when she was in secondary school after she found her voice with our partner Starfish International!
“Witnessing the impact of systemic inequalities in my community fueled my commitment to contribute to positive societal change through the pursuit of justice.”
She's the First: She’s the First has been a long-time partner of Starfish International, supporting the education and mentorship of you, your peers, and girls you currently mentor! We were delighted to select you to as a member of our Girls Advisory Council when you were in secondary school. Would you share about your experience?
Wuday: The Girls Advisory Council exposed me to better practices we can use in our work as girls' organizations and also I got the chance to interact with many other girls from different parts of the world and hold space for each other. It has been a wonderful and educational experience for me.
She’s the First: It’s Muslim Women’s Day and we’re in the middle of Ramadan. Do you feel that your faith has had an impact on your service-driven life?
Wuday: My faith in God serves as a powerful motivator and guiding force in my life. For me, serving others brings me a sense of fulfillment especially spiritually. As a Muslim, at a young age, you’re encouraged to show compassion and mercy towards all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. Serving in Islam is a form of worship because it follows the example of Prophet Muhammad, who dedicated his life to serving humanity. Growing up, I learned this and I watched my parents and family help other people without getting anything from it, and as I grew up at Starfish, it was a culture to serve and not expect anything in return. I believe that faith can cultivate empathy and compassion towards others, motivating people to respond to the needs of those around them with kindness, empathy, and understanding.
“To all girls everywhere; Dream big, set goals, and work hard to achieve them. You have the power to shape your own destiny and create the life you envision for yourself. ”
She’s the First: Now that you’re a mentor, you’ve also participated in She’s the First professional development trainings. What have you learned that has made you a better mentor for the girls at Starfish?
Wuday: I have learned a lot of things from She's the First, and what I always work by or apply in my mentorship is feminism mentorship. I learned that if you're working for girls then their needs should be at the center and everything else revolves around that. And if you know Starfish, you know that is one of our main principles, too. You cannot work for girls and exclude them from decision-making that affects them, the work should be for and with them.
Through implementing what we’ve learned from being a part of She’s the First’s trainings and Girls First Network, our girls have better mechanisms of expressing themselves and giving us feedback during our reflections. They can give feedback and express themselves through our suggestion boxes and the SI Council.
She’s the First: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Wuday: My goal is to graduate university this year and show more girls that if I can do it, they can do it even better, and it’s possible. I also want to work in the United Nations someday as the secretary general.
I am a final-year law student at the University of The Gambia and studying law for me is a deeply personal and purpose-driven choice. Witnessing the impact of systemic inequalities in my community fueled my commitment to contribute to positive societal change through the pursuit of justice. I remain committed to creating a world where every girl feels seen, heard, and respected. To all girls everywhere; Dream big, set goals, and work hard to achieve them. You have the power to shape your own destiny and create the life you envision for yourself.
This Women's History Month, donations will support the Partner Coalition, an STF program ensuring a girl like Wuday has the support she needs to turn her dreams into her reality.
Will you donate today so more girls can experience their dreams come true?