[6] The experience, and meeting other females who had been incised later inspired her to assist at-risk girls and to call for the practice's eradication.

[2][8] The non-profit organisation was established to help young women and girls, with a focus on providing education and raising awareness on female genital mutilation.

[14] Isobel Shirlaw said in i that it was an important book and that "The chorus of women's voices which provide a multi-dimensional, global view of these hidden issues is powerful".

[15] The Guardian review by Arifa Akbar praised the book as "rich collection of intimate and uncensored stories" and wrote that Ali "delivers the physicality of the women's experiences with all the leaking, faecal, bloody mess of the body laid bare", although noting that "deeper reflection is lacking" and criticising the omission of coverage of anyone that was not heterosexual and cisgender.

[17][18] Home Secretary of the United Kingdom Priti Patel appointed Ali as an Independent Government Adviser for Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, in October 2020.

The role involves the formulation of a strategy to reduce violence against women and girls, with recommendations expected to be produced in 2021.

[21][22] Ali expressed her hope that the strategy would be a foundation to improve safety for women and girls through education and legislation, but that "whole system" change would be required to reduce violence.

[24] At the 2017 general election, Ali contested the seat of Hornsey and Wood Green in North London for the Women's Equality Party.

[25] Ali polled 551 votes (0.9% of the total),[26] finishing in 5th place out of the 8 candidates that stood and losing her election deposit.

[32] Ali was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to tackling female genital mutilation and gender inequality.