Reflecting on A Quiet Violence: Navigating Female Genital Cutting as an LGBTQ+ Survivor

idea that FGC only impacts women. Panelists who identified as non-binary FGC survivors, Dena, Afiqa, and Umme, all shared stories of their own journey in understanding sexuality and gender as survivors of FGC, along with the harms of a false assumption...

Sahiyo’s Inaugural International Women’s Day Celebration & Silent Auction

2023 and close on Sunday, March 12, 2023. During this 5-day event, we will celebrate women's voices with video spotlights, stories, and entertainment. Do you have an item you’d like to donate or would you like to participate in our program? We are...

Sahiyo’s Book Club Holds Second Event In February 

equality, bodily autonomy, women-centered movements, and sexual empowerment, this club will focus on uplifting the stories and experiences of women everywhere. On February 6th, 2022 the group will meet virtually for Sahiyo Discusses: A Fractured Life by...

Sahiyo U.S. Advisory Board spotlight: Jo Keogh

videos have been a particularly potent way to connect the abstract idea of what FGM/C is with the reality of survivor stories. How has your involvement impacted your life? Working to find holistic solutions to ending FGM/C has been an incredibly...

Sahiyo’s new book club officially launches in October

equality, bodily autonomy, women-centered movements, and sexual empowerment - this club will focus on uplifting the stories and experiences of women everywhere. Our first meeting will be held on October 13th, at 8 pm EST over Zoom. We will be joined by...

Conversation with a Bhaiyo: Advising a concerned father

to whom it has also happened, you will find greater comfort in that. Through the work that we do at Sahiyo of sharing stories and connecting survivors and allies, there is an emphasis on making sure that everyone feels equally heard and represented. As...

Volunteer spotlight: Development intern Anaïs Furukawa

Anaïs' deep interest in giving a platform to voices that need to be heard and stories that need to be told led her to pursue and earn her B.A. in journalism at California State University, Northridge. Her love of storytelling, and passion for...

Dear Maasi: “How do I move past the shame of being cut?”

or “dirty.” If we don’t shame our elbows, why would we shame our vulvas? Talk to other khatna survivors or listen to their stories. This will remind you that you’re not alone, and not to blame. Anonymous, healing from shame takes time and effort, but it...

Dear Maasi: How to address sex-negativity and misogyny in a conservative community

to be judgemental, and Anonymous, you don’t need that. Seek out friends and others who might be supportive. Watch survivor stories. It’s also good to correct our own sex misconceptions by collecting as much sexual health information as possible. I...

Sahiyo hosts workshop on FGC and storytelling for Nomad Travelers

in Sahiyo programs through writing prompts and exercises, which focused on turning their travel experiences into meaningful stories. To learn more about Sahiyo's community education and outreach program, visit our website.

Support Sahiyo in our work to uplift and protect girls on the Tenth Annual International Day of the Girl Child

& Silent Auction, from March 8-12, 2023. During this five-day event, we’ll celebrate women's voices with video spotlights, stories, and entertainment. For more information about the event, donating auction items, participating in the program,...

Why sex educators need to know about female genital cutting (FGC)

column for FGC survivors by Farzana Doctor. Perhaps most importantly, I recommend starting this education with survivor stories like those that can be found via the Voices To End FGM/C website, and ensuring that the experience and perspective of...

A brief report on Sahiyo's media workshop on khatna among Bohras

U.S. Muslim Leaders Stance on FGM/C (also known as Female Circumcision)

Engendering Progress Event Honours Sahiyo Co-founder

81% want Khatna to end: results of Sahiyo’s online survey of Bohra women

Sahiyo releases July 2021-June 2022 Annual Report

blog has grown and we launched a new column called Scenarios by Sahiyo that features comic strips based on real-life stories by activists, advocates, and allies working to end FGC. We hosted our 6th Voices to End FGM/C workshop with 9 participants,...

Voices reflection: Forging bonds

A reflection on Sahiyo’s Activists Retreat: Creating an impact to end female genital cutting

of the entire weekend was definitely just interacting with all the other attendees: getting to know them, hearing their stories and ideas, and feeling a sense of community even though we were all miles apart from each other. Together we created a space...

My Empowerment at the Sahiyo U.S. Activists Retreat

experiences in madrasa, masjid, I was able to share experiences unique to myself but more importantly, learn from the stories of those women who had undergone Khatna and who had made life-altering decisions to confront others about the practice. I was...