Isatou Touray facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Isatou Touray
Touray in 2017
10th Vice-President of the Gambia
In office 15 March 2019 – 4 May 2022
President	Adama Barrow
Preceded by	Ousainou Darboe
Succeeded by	Badara Joof
Minister of Health and Social Welfare
In office 9 July 2018 – 27 March 2019
President	Adama Barrow
Preceded by	Saffie Lowe Ceesay
Succeeded by	Ahmadou Lamin Samateh
Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment
In office 1 February 2017 – 9 July 2018
President	Adama Barrow
Preceded by	Abdoulie Jobe
Succeeded by	Amadou Sanneh
Personal details
Born	(1955-03-17) 17 March 1955 (age 70) Banjul, the Gambia
Political party	Independent
Other political affiliations	Coalition 2016
Alma mater	Usmanu Danfodiyo University International Institute of Social Studies Institute of Development Studies

Isatou Touray (born March 17, 1955) is a politician and activist from The Gambia. She is known for her work to improve people's lives and for being a social reformer. Touray famously campaigned to end harmful traditional practices affecting girls' health.

In 2016, she became the first woman in The Gambia to run for president. She later decided to support another candidate, Adama Barrow, to help unite the opposition. After Barrow won, Touray served in important government roles, including as Vice-President from 2019 to 2022.

Early Life and Schooling

Isatou Touray was born in 1955 in Bathurst, the capital city of The Gambia. The city's name was later changed to Banjul. During her school years, she was a talented athlete.

For her higher education, Touray traveled to other countries. She earned her first degree in Nigeria. She then studied in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, where she earned a master's degree and a PhD in development studies. This field focuses on how to improve the quality of life in communities.

Career as an Activist and Politician

Touray has spent much of her life working to make The Gambia a better place. Her career has included social activism and serving in the government.

Working for Social Change

Touray is a leading activist against harmful traditional practices. In 1984, she co-founded an organization called the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP). Its goal is to protect the health of women and children by ending these practices.

As the head of GAMCOTRAP, she encouraged political leaders to create laws for this cause. Her work was not always easy, and she faced challenges from authorities who disagreed with her. Despite this, she continued to fight for what she believed in.

Running for President

In 2016, Touray announced she would run for president as an independent candidate. This made her the first woman to ever seek the presidency in The Gambia. She promised that if she won, she would focus on giving power back to the people.

Other opposition parties decided to form a group called Coalition 2016. They wanted to support a single candidate against the president at the time, Yahya Jammeh. Touray chose to step down from the race and support the coalition's candidate, Adama Barrow. This decision helped the opposition win the election.

Serving in Government

After Adama Barrow became president in 2017, he appointed Touray to his team of top advisors, known as the Cabinet. She first served as the Minister of Trade. Later, she became the Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

In March 2019, she was appointed to one of the highest positions in the country: Vice-President of The Gambia. She served as Vice-President until May 2022.

Personal Life

Isatou Touray is married to Dr. Alhaji Malang Touray, a doctor. Together, they have four children and three grandchildren. Throughout her career, her family has supported her work to bring positive change to The Gambia.

Awards and Recognition

• In 2017, Touray received the Jeanne J. Kirkpatrick Award from the Women's Democracy Network for her leadership and dedication to democracy.