Isatou Touray, DPhil

Dr. Isatou Touray is the interim Executive Director of Uniting to Combat

Neglected Tropical Diseases. Previously, she served as the Vice President of The Gambia and held various ministerial positions, including Minister of Health and Minister of Trade. In 2016, she made history as the first female presidential candidate in The Gambia.

Prior to her political career, Dr. Touray co-founded and led The Gambia

Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and

Children, championing sexual and reproductive health rights.

She has been a prominent advocate for peace-building and the eradication of harmful practices against women and children, serving in leadership roles for organizations like the West Africa Network for Peace Building and the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices.

Dr. Touray's academic achievements include a PhD in Development Studies with a focus on Gender and Development, as well as a master's degree in Development Studies specializing in Women and Development.

She remains actively involved in global networks promoting gender equality and human rights and currently co-chairs the African Women Leadership Network.