Hajia Gambo Sawaba, was a prominent Nigerian politician, women’s rights activist and philanthropist.
Born in 1933, Sawaba who hails from Kano State, dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of women and the less privileged in Northern Nigeria.
Sawaba campaigned against under-aged marriages and forced labor. She was also an advocate for western education in the North
Her activism also extended to politics. Sawaba was an active member of various political parties. She led the national women’s wing of the Northern Elements Progressive Union, NEPU and its successor, the People’s Redemption Party, PRP.
Throughout her career, Sawaba faced persecution and imprisonment for her activism. Despite this, she remained steadfast in her commitment to social justice and equality.
Sawaba was imprisoned sixteen times for advocating against child marriage, forced and unpaid labor, and unfair taxes. As one of the most jailed women in Nigerian history, Sawaba was known for her fearless advocacy, challenging traditional norms, and advocating for women’s participation in politics.
She died on 14th October 2001.
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