Born: 1951 (Khartoum North, Sudan)
Biography:
Nahid Toubia (Arabic:ناهد طوبيا) is a Sudanese surgeon and women’s health rights activist, specializing in research into female genital mutilation. Born in 1951 in Khartoum North, Sudan, Toubia grew up attending primary and intermediate schooling at a local church school. However, due to the lack of intensity of private education in Sudan, she took a state exam to gain admission to Khartoum Secondary School for Girls. Inspired by her desire to pursue a career in medicine, Toubia attended the University of Kharthoum for pre-medical studies before going on to study medicine in Egypt.
In 1981, Toubia completed her surgical training in the United Kingdom, where she also obtained an MPhil and a PhD in Public Health & Policy from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1981, making her the first female surgeon in Sudan. Toubia then returned to Sudan and served as the head of pediatric surgery at Khartoum Teaching Hospital. Additionally, she established her own emergency clinic to provide care to patients who were receiving inadequate treatment at state hospitals.
After facing political instability in Sudan in 1985, Toubia returned to the UK and began her research on female genital mutilation (FGM). Recognizing the urgent need to address this harmful practice, she dedicated her career and research efforts to studying FGM and proposing solutions to eliminate it. From 1990, Toubia worked for four years at the Population Council in New York City. Despite being a skilled surgeon, she stepped back from practicing medicine after leaving Sudan to focus on her research and activism.
Toubia’s research on FGM has been instrumental in raising awareness about the practice and proposing strategies to combat it. She has worked on numerous research projects that address the cultural, social, and medical aspects of FGM, advocating for the abandonment of this harmful practice. Toubia has also authored or co-authored several books on women’s health, including Female Genital Mutilation: A Call for Global Action (1995) and Female Genital Mutilation: A Guide to Worldwide Laws and Policies (2000). Her work has contributed to improving the understanding of FGM and has provided valuable resources for medical practitioners treating victims of FGM.
Toubia’s activism extends beyond her research. She is the co-founder and director of RAINBO (Research, Action and Information Network for Bodily Integrity of Women), an international organization based in New York City that works to eliminate FGM through women’s self-empowerment and social change. Toubia’s leadership has been influential in empowering women and advocating for their bodily integrity.
Throughout her career, Toubia has sat on scientific and advisory committees for esteemed organizations such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and UNDP. She is also the Vice-Chair of the advisory committee of the Women’s Rights Watch Project of Human Rights Watch. Toubia’s dedication to reproductive health and gender equality in Africa and the Middle East has made her a respected figure in the field. Her contributions have had a significant impact on women’s rights and women’s health globally.
Awards:
– List of awards or recognitions received by Nahid Toubia is not available.