Crying out our mothers’ grief: How we allowed female genital mutilation to flourish in our communities

knew were happening. I was 14 years old when I was finally let into the discussions recounting personal experiences and stories from survivors in the family. I remember sitting in the backseat of my parents’ car, asking what they were whispering about....

Sahiyo Volunteer Spotlight: Isabel Panno Shepard

She joined Sahiyo to empower those affected by FGC through listening to, elevating, and advocating on behalf of their stories. 1) When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I joined Sahiyo as a communication intern a couple of months after I...

Voices reflection: Storytelling as a powerful medium

storytelling as a medium to fight oppression is particularly powerful. I also wanted to listen to other women tell their stories and support them in speaking truth to power. My hope is that by being vulnerable and sharing my story, I can encourage other...

Sahiyo volunteer spotlight: Social media intern Kristel Mendoza Castillo

Retreats, or the ongoing Voices To End FGM/C 2021 project. I have been able to watch and listen to so many people’s stories and that has made me want to keep supporting and working with Sahiyo to bring an end to FGC. 4) What words of wisdom would you...

Sahiyo staff spotlight: Editorial coordinator Rachel Wine

with Sahiyo involve? As editorial coordinator, a big part of my work is supporting survivors and allies in developing their stories into blog posts. I love being a part of a process that amplifies these voices, and watching the exploration of their...

Introducing: Scenarios by Sahiyo

by Beth Fotheringham (both interns with Sahiyo), ‘Scenarios by Sahiyo’ will feature short comic strips based on real life stories by activists, advocates and allies working to end female genital cutting (FGC). The project aims to portray particularly...

Magic of Intimacy

now perhaps an opening to a bigger vision of what I call: Magic of Intimacy. I had viewed over a dozen Voices to End FGM/C stories and attended Sahiyo’s webinars over the last couple of years. As much as I wanted to contribute and help in a significant...

Willing To Learn

sure if my experience at this Voices workshop resulted in learning something, but I really appreciated people sharing their stories through their perspectives. It was interesting to see how different people from different parts of the world took this...

Sahiyo Discusses book club holds next event in September

equality, bodily autonomy, women-centered movements, and sexual empowerment, this club will focus on uplifting the stories and experiences of women everywhere. On September 21, 2022 the group will meet virtually for Sahiyo Discusses: You Still Look the...

Share your story! Join the Voices to End FGM/C Fall 2022 Online Digital Storytelling Workshop

of our continued partnership with StoryCenter, a non-profit whose misson is to create spaces for listening to and sharing stories and to help build a just and healthy world. Since 2015, Sahiyo has provided various storytelling platforms for communities...

Voices to End FGM/C 2022: Spring Cohort Video Screening

survivors of and advocates against female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). In addition to viewing these eight poignant stories, attendees will get the chance to hear from some of the storytellers themselves about their work and journey. “I have...

Volunteer spotlight: Editorial intern Urvashi Sharma

in women’s health and feels excited and privileged to learn, raise awareness, and amplify the voices of women whose stories must be heard. What was your experience of learning about FGC for the first time like? I was fourteen and had just finished...

Bhaiyo engages male allies to empower communities to end female genital cutting during June campaign

a meet and greet event, we hope to inspirecommunity and bonding between our male allies so that they can share resources, stories, and keep each other motivated in their crucial work. By using social media to share the stories of male allies, we hope to...

Each One, Reach One - A FGC Public Outreach Campaign

The Role of Men in Ending FGM in the Bohra Community

Reflecting on Sahiyo’s Healing as Activism Campaign

to honor the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence. From November 25th to December 10th, we shared the stories of FGC survivors in their journey towards healing. We received 16 submissions from survivors located around the world, and they...

Sahiyo U.S. Activists Retreat: A reflection

talking to health and legal experts, reading everything I could find about FGM/C but, mostly, by listening to women’s stories of their khatna experiences and how they had been, and continue to be, affected long into adulthood. This new knowledge has...

My Sahiyo U.S. Activists Retreat Reflection

khatna, I could start the process of healing and perhaps give a voice to those of us who are not yet ready to share their stories. It was in this spirit that I attended the first ever Sahiyo Activists Retreat this past January. I wanted to meet the...

Last Day of Each One Reach One

and breaking silence on Khatna. And for this we have you to thank, for engaging with the campaign and sharing your stories and narratives with us! Sahiyo is overwhelmed by the response the campaign has garnered and we hope to hear more from you. Please...

Why the khatna conversation needs men's voices too

conversations happening are still dominated by women. It is of course amazing that so many women have started sharing their stories and thoughts. But we stilllive in a patriarchal context. Religious leaders are still men. Decision-makers in families are...