Bogaletch Gebre

Ethiopian scientist who eradicated female genital mutilation (FGM) through community-led social transformation.

Dr. Bogaletch Gebre (1949-2013), known as Ethiopia's Suffragette, pioneered a revolutionary approach to ending FGM in East Africa. After surviving childhood cutting herself, the microbiologist founded Kembatti Mentti Gezzima-Tope (KMG) in 1997, achieving an unprecedented 97% reduction in FGM rates across 3 million people.

Her community conversation model broke taboos by engaging men and religious leaders through scientific data. Gebre's team organized 14,000+ dialogue sessions demonstrating FGM's health impacts using anatomical models. This evidence-based approach converted former circumcisers into activists, like Woizero Bekelech who destroyed her tools publicly in 2001.

Gebre's genius lay in reframing FGM as a development issue rather than cultural practice. By linking anti-FGM campaigns to KMG's clean water projects and microfinance programs, she created economic incentives for change. The WHO later adopted her strategies globally.