By Bakary Ceesay, in Germany
Gambian women’s rights advocate Binta Bah has been named the Bremen Woman of the Year 2026, recognizing her tireless work in empowering migrant women, promoting integration, fostering intercultural dialogue, and supporting survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM).
The prestigious award was presented by the Bremen State Women’s Council (Landesfrauenrat Bremen) during a Senate reception at Bremen Town Hall on March 5, 2026. The ceremony, held under the motto “Strong together: women’s solidarity as an answer to political crises,” highlighted Bah’s contributions as a beacon of resilience and solidarity.
Bah, who arrived in Bremen as a teenager from The Gambia—alone and facing immense challenges—has built a remarkable life balancing education, motherhood, and activism. She founded Lundu e.V. in 2021, a civil society organization dedicated to public health, migrant integration, and intercultural connections. Through Lundu, Bah provides essential support to migrant women and families, particularly those from African countries like The Gambia.
The association offers German language courses, cultural orientation, and practical assistance for daily life. It provides childcare for women attending school, enabling mothers without kindergarten spots to pursue education. Lundu also focuses heavily on preventing FGM, a practice the World Health Organization classifies into four types involving partial or total removal of external genitalia or narrowing of the vaginal opening, often causing severe health risks.
Bah organizes counseling, awareness workshops, and community events involving youth welfare offices, police, and local organizations to educate families on the human rights violations and health dangers of FGM. She invites senators and members of parliament to meet with affected women and children, amplifying their voices and experiences.
Antje Jess, chairwoman of the Bremen State Women’s Council, praised Bah in a statement: “We are honoring Binta Bah as a political activist who stands up for her community in mainstream society and thereby increases the visibility and representation of Black women.” The council emphasized that migrant organizations like Lundu perform vital political and cultural work.
Among 18 nominees, Bah was selected by a jury for her impactful efforts. In her acceptance speech, she urged those in power to recognize the weight of their decisions: “People in responsible positions should understand how powerful their decisions are. Their decisions can make life easier for vulnerable families, or they can cause people to lose stability or the place where they belong.”
Bah also organizes annual cultural concerts to celebrate diversity and raise funds—last year’s featured Sona Jobarteh, while this year’s, on May 30, 2026, will showcase Titi and Nagothe Llo.
Her work extends beyond Lundu; she represents migrant perspectives at high-level events, including Germany’s Day of German Unity on October 3, 2025, hosted by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier under the theme “Future through change.”
The award underscores Bremen’s commitment to inclusion and women’s rights, celebrating Bah as an inspiring figure whose journey from adversity to advocacy strengthens communities and challenges taboos.
