By Sheena Vasani

Connecticut is one of nine states that have yet to enact a law protecting children from FGM/C, which is why Sahiyo along with other Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C members recently held the “Preventing FGM/C in Connecticut – Why Comprehensive Laws Matter” event. 

On January 25th, panelists educated legislators about the urgent need for FGM/C laws in Connecticut, highlighting their personal and professional experiences connected to FGM/C while sharing resources to learn more and support survivors. Panelists included FGM/C service providers, various women’s rights advocates, FGM/C survivors and advocates and of course, Sahiyo’s very own co-founder and U.S. Executive Director, Mariya Taher.

I had the opportunity to talk to one of these panelists, Zehra Patwa. A resident of Connecticut, Zehra has lived in the state for 28 years. She is also the co-founder of WeSpeakOut, an organization that aims to help empower women and end FGC in the Bohra community. During our conversation, Zehra reflected on the event and why she felt it was a success, while making it clear why all Americans should care about outlawing FGM/C in Connecticut. 

Urge the Connecticut State Legislature to outlaw FFM/C by clicking here and signing this petition!

Why did you decide to participate in the event?

When I found out that I had been cut – and that my community was one that cuts girls – I was 42 years old. To this day, I have no recollection of my cutting, but it felt like such a violation so I started [speaking out]. It just felt like the right thing to do – how could it not?  I've been lucky to have this great life, and, yet, there are women who, to this day as adults, suffer psychological and sexual impact because this happened to them.

Could you tell me about your experiences at the event? What stood out for you? 

All the panelists were so well prepared that we came across as very organized, and professional. And I think that's what the legislators needed to hear. I imagine it might have been different if we had started wailing and crying, but [we showed] that we really understood all of the aspects of this issue, and its sensitive nature.We were all able to give a different perspective on the issue and amplify why we needed a law in Connecticut.

What kind of insights, if any, did you gain?

I was really heartened by the fact that there was so much support and I know the coalition has worked very hard to build that support. Sometimes, it’s like you’re crying out into the void and it feels like nothing is moving forward, but now we've arrived at this point. I realize that all of those small steps that we took – reiterating our experiences over and over again - really helped as it culminated in where we are today. So that was pretty powerful. I felt faith in the process again.

Why do you think Connecticut is one of the nine states that has yet to outlaw FGM/C? 

I think the biggest reason is that they didn't want to enact new criminal laws that might impact immigrant communities. People want to be sensitive to black and brown bodies that may have come from communities that cut their daughters. I applaud Connecticut for this sensitivity but in the end, FGC needs to stop and girls need to be protected.

Why do you think those who live in Connecticut – and indeed, Americans generally – should care about outlawing FGM/C? 

People don't think that girls in Connecticut are at risk. Yet the fact is, we're one of the only states that does not have an anti FGM/C law so we could easily become, if we’re not already, a destination for cutting. We absolutely do not want to be known for that. 

There are [also] communities who cut their daughters who have been in America for generations – they’re not new immigrant communities. So, as Americans, we should be taking care of our communities. I see this FGM/C law as a simple bill to pass. It fits in with other services that are already available and provides specific FGM/C related education and support for prevention and care. 

[But] at the heart of this, there is a little girl who is suffering, and is going to potentially suffer all of their life, because they're told they're not good enough and need to be fixed. That’s just not a humane way to view a child.

We give parents a lot of leeway, but parents don’t – or can’t – always make the best decision. I realize that there are parents who feel very pressured to do this by the elders in their family or community. If we have a law that protects girls from FGM/C, it would give parents the strength and backup to say no. They can [tell people in their community] “look, I don't want to be a criminal. If I protect my child, I avoid the risk of prison.” 

What can we as activists do to help outlaw FGM/C in Connecticut?

Spread the word that this is happening here and that this is very much a contemporary practice. We don't have numbers [for Connecticut] as this is such an underground practice but as I said on the panel, that number almost doesn't matter. If one girl is cut, that's one too many. 

Education is the key. Up until 10 years ago, I didn't even know this was happening in my community. I grew up with very educated, talented women [with] great careers who were impressive mentors and role models, and my community was pretty progressive. But [...] all of those women were cut and many of them also cut their daughters. This was a practice that people just accepted as being a fact of life in the community. But with education and shared stories, that is changing.

You can watch a recording of the “Preventing FGM/C in Connecticut – Why Comprehensive Laws Matter.” event here.  

Related:

• Legislative Roundtable held in Connecticut to discuss FGC
• Zahra Patwa: I don't remember my khatna. But it feels like a violation
• Connecticut Governor and Lieutenant Governor officially recognize International Day of Zero Tolerance of FGM/C

By Isatou Jallow

In my film “Behind The Wall,” I've chosen to share my deeply personal experience with Type 3 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Through this storytelling, my aim is threefold.

First, I want to educate. FGM, deeply rooted in tradition, often goes unquestioned. By unveiling the raw pain and suffering I endured, I hope to provoke reflection within communities about the necessity and ethics of this practice.

Secondly, it serves as a testament to resilience. By sharing my story, I aim to show survivors that they are not alone and that healing is possible. It's my hope that this personal account can offer solace and encouragement to those who have experienced similar pain.

Lastly, this documentary is a call to action. By shedding light on FGM, we can mobilize governments, NGOs, and communities to work together to eradicate this harmful practice.

In sharing my story, I hope to create a world where girls are free from this brutality, where silence is replaced with compassion, and where stories like mine inspire change. Together, we can amplify the voices of survivors and put an end to FGM.

Isatou Jallow is a legal scholar in the final year of her Ph.D. program at the University of Washington School of Law. With a strong commitment to advocacy and community service, she has volunteered and interned at organizations like Northwest Immigrants Rights and YWCA Sexual Violence Legal Services. Isatou also served as a commissioner for the City of Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Services, fostering inclusion and understanding among diverse communities. She gained valuable experience in the HR department of Seattle Children's Hospital, focusing on accommodation and worker's compensation. Driven by a belief in diversity and inclusion, Isatou founded Inclusive Outlook, a nonprofit advocating for inclusive education for children with disabilities and the health rights of women with disabilities. She is also the founder of Amosa Skin, a brand donating most of its proceeds to support Inclusive Outlook's initiatives. As Isatou approaches the final year of her Ph.D. program, she is focused on defending her research and completing her doctoral studies, aiming to contribute to research, policy development, and community engagement to promote inclusivity and make a positive impact.

Silent Auction & Celebration: March 6-10, 2024

Live Virtual Comedy Show: March 7, 2024

Donate auction items: https://bit.ly/24AuctionDonation

Sponsor the event: https://bit.ly/SponsorSahiyo

Sahiyo is planning our second annual Women's Day Celebration and Silent Auction to raise $15K in support of our work to end female genital cutting. The auction and celebration will begin on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 and end on Sunday, March 10, 2024. During this five-day event, we will celebrate women’s voices with video spotlights, stories, and entertainment.

This program includes a Comedy Show taking place on March 7th at 5pm PST/ 8pm EST. We have a stellar line-up of comedians for the show, including Zahra Noorbakhsh, Weyam Ghadbian, Pallavi Gunalan, and Mita Patel. You can buy tickets now.

You can also support this amazing event by hosting a VIP Watch Party, where you can invite your friends and family to enjoy the show and learn more about what we do here at Sahiyo. This option also includes Sahiyo party favors as well as a toolkit with templates and materials to help you plan your party. 

We hope you’ll join us for a fantastic evening of comedy and community in support of an incredible cause! Learn more about these fantastic comedians and purchase your tickets here.

For more information about, donating auction items, submitting a video for the program, purchasing Comedy Show tickets, or sponsoring this event, please contact Sahiyo Development Director, Michelle Taylor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Samman received a Bachelor’s in International Relations and her Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Human Rights and Women & Gender Studies from George Mason University. Her graduate research explored the intersection of human rights advocacy and social media platforms in light of the #Metoo movement and the possibilities of transnational feminist solidarity networks in the digital media age. Samman is driven by her passion for local and global social justice movements and imagines a feminist future, one that is free from patriarchal violence and emancipatory for all people. In the past, Samman has been affiliated with Amnesty International USA in various capacities, where she supported campaigns on violence against women, migrant and refugee rights, death penalty and other human rights violations in the U.S. and abroad. Samman is excited to utilize her experiences in human rights advocacy, particularly her strengths in gender justice and intersectional feminist activism to address female genital cutting in her new role as the community engagement coordinator for Sahiyo.

When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo?

I first got involved with Sahiyo in the summer of 2023 when as the Community Engagement Coordinator. Previously I had briefly explored the issue of FGC in various classes during graduate school while studying Women and Gender Studies, but I had never studied the topic as exhaustively as I would have liked to. In one of my courses, I read an academic paper where sociologists presented FGC as an issue of feminist agency and choice, likening it to cosmetic plastic surgeries. Other times, I found the sensationalized framing of FGC by human rights groups and legacy media to be problematic in how it recreated racist tropes about communities where FGC is practiced, further marginalizing at-risk groups and alienating them. So when the opportunity at Sahiyo came along, I became eager at the prospect of working for a survivor-led organization, since community-led movements can challenge false narratives and include a culturally sensitive approach that is vital in the field of gender-based violence work.

What does your work with Sahiyo involve?

I’m responsible for overseeing the Activists Retreat program, an annual in-person as well as a virtual event in which anti-FGC activists and survivor-advocates come together from all over the U.S. to discuss activism strategies on how to better mobilize more advocates working to address FGC within South Asian communities. In addition to assisting with the logistics of the retreat planning, I dedicate the rest of my time fostering relationships with a community of activists and assisting them in their anti-FGC activism. I do this by supporting their advocacy needs, whether it is through virtual alumni network events like quarterly meet-ups or book club meetings, or providing them with essential resources and news about FGC-related developments. 

Bhaiyo, our male engagement program is another project I support. In this program I oversee our male ally network and build new relationships with individuals or activists who want to be allies in our mission to end FGC. I hope to grow this network significantly, so a larger community of men can discuss the harmful impacts of FGC within their circles, especially if they belong to communities where FGC is practiced. Gender-based violence is a function of patriarchy, and without male allies who can be agents in disrupting patriarchal norms, our work would be impossible.

How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life?

Before Sahiyo, my knowledge about FGC was limited and only theoretical. Now I get to see firsthand the practical implications of FGC, in my encounters with survivors and how FGC has profound long term psychological and medical consequences. Through my daily engagement with Sahiyo’s collaborations and with other sister organizations and other growing partnerships, I’m now more aware of FGC advocacy, and the landscape of gender-based violence work in general, as well as of the many resources that are available to communities where FGC is prevalent. As such, the need to publicize Sahiyo’s work becomes all the more urgent. 

Finally, my understanding of activism continues to grow from my interactions with different activists throughout the year. I find that all types of activism are impactful, as our Executive Director, Mariya Taher emphasizes understanding “activism on a spectrum” and how it can look different for each activist. Similarly, I was not aware of the concept of ‘public vs. private’ activism that Sahiyo’s work and activists place immense value on. Modern day digital activism, albeit critical to mobilizing masses for human rights issues, sometimes has confined us to thinking of activism only in terms of likes, tweets and viral stories. However, private activism can be a just as powerful tool in educating members of communities about a particular issue, as I saw in my first Activists Retreat in September 2023, where the privacy of an insular activist community was respected and led to important conversations about FGC prevalent within the Bohra community. As such, both public and private activism can drive incremental change and lead to progressive reform. The personal is political, indeed.

What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC?

The movement against FGC is equally critical as any other issue in gender-based violence work. We are working to mobilize a large body of activists to bring our movement to the forefront and push the remaining states to pass legislation banning FGC in the U.S. I encourage anyone interested in advancing women’s rights and gender justice to explore Sahiyo’s anti-FGC work as part of the larger gender based violence effort. Our small but mighty team at Sahiyo and the network of amazing volunteers and interns welcome and support all advocates, regardless of their expertise about FGC, to join this important cause.

On February 13th, the World Bank invited Sahiyo to host a screening of the Voices to End FGM/C Digital Storytelling Project in honor of International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting. During the virtual event, attendees from around the world watched nine videos from Voices to End FGM/C collection including videos from U.S. Executive Director Mariya Taher, and alumni Severina Lemachokoti and Renee Bergstrom. Afterward, all three discussed the healing nature of sharing one’s story, the challenges that come from speaking up, and the overall advocacy that is done to end FGM/C.  

To watch Severina's digital story, click here.

To watch Renee's digital story, click here.

On January 25, 2025, the Connecticut (CT) Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, Representative Jillian Gilchrest, CT General Assembly Bi-Partisan Women’s Caucus, and the CT Coalition to End FGM/C held an event, just prior to the next legislative session, entitled Preventing FGM/C in Connecticut – Why Comprehensive Laws Matter.  

Special guests and co-hosts included Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and the Governor’s Council on Women & Girls. The panel discussion that occurred during the event provided timely information and resources for legislators and their staff about FGM/C in the United States, as well as the need for comprehensive state laws to end the practice. 

Panelists shared their experiences and lessons they learned from legal reform processes in other states, which highlighted the important role of the law in changing social norms as well as protecting survivors, girls at risk, and society as a whole. The diverse panel of international, national, and local experts included women’s rights advocates, FGM/C service providers, and FGM/C survivors such as: 

Moderators:

• Rep. Jillian Gilcrest

• Steven Hernández

Panelists

• Siminesh Comollo, CT Coalition to End FGM/C

• Caitlin LeMay, The US End FGM/C Network 

• Zehra Patwa, Co-Founder and US Lead,  WeSpeakOut 

• Mariya Taher, Sahiyo: US

• Jill Thompson, Equality Now

To date, 41 US States have enacted laws prohibiting the practice of FGM/C. Connecticut is one of nine states that has not yet addressed this harmful practice. This event was held in partnership with Sahiyo U.S.ahiyo U.S., Equality Now, and, the US End FGM/C Network.S End FGM/C Network.

Watch a recording of the event here.

In support of passing a law on FGM/C, this February 6th - International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM/C, Governor Ned Lamont issued a Proclamation and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz issued a Citation to commemorate the day.