On May 30th, RTI International will hostg a virtual workshop to educate those in the social work profession on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). 

This workshop, approved by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and available for continuing education units, will provide an introductory foundation for understanding what FGM/C is, including its prevalence in the U.S. and globally, and the role of social workers in addressing and responding to this issue. In addition, the workshop will share key competencies and best practices for working with survivors of FGM/C. Workshop Facilitators will be U.S. Executive Director Mariya Taher, and U.S. End FGM/C Network Director Caitlin LeMay.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, May 30th
Time: 3-5 pm ET 

Register for the virtual event here.

By Nazneen Vasi

The topic of Khatna, also known as female genital cutting (FGC), has always been interesting. Within my family,  there are those who are against it, and those who support it.

It is clearly not a religious custom, but more cultural. How did it even become a part of our culture? And why are community members advocating for FGC? In my opinion, there is no science or logic to legitimize this practice– just blind faith in the leaders of the community.

I joined the Voices to End FGM/C workshop to share my journey with FGC. My parents did not participate in this custom, and thus I was spared from being cut. A big thank you to them!

However, I have many family members and friends who have told me their stories. Among the stories, there are so many similarities. 7 years old, summer holidays, rickety old stairs, elderly lady, pain, the promise of ice-cream. Then as they became teens, and entered their 20’s, the realization and full physical, emotional, and mental impact of what had happened. 

Then: why did it happen to me?  There is no answer, except that it was done and continues to be done. 

The workshop has been incredible, learning the stories of other people, their honesty, reading their emotions, how they have coped, and moved forward. It takes courage to accept what has happened and even more courage to speak about it to strangers. 

As a pelvic physical therapist, I help women with pelvic rehabilitation throughout their lifespan. I want women to be aware about the resources available for them and their pelvis:

• Health care providers, including medical doctors, talk therapists, and physical therapists who specialize in all things pelvic. 
• Organizations, blogs, and medical journal articles.
• Community groups

As was the case in the Voices workshop, we should celebrate each other and work together, educating each other to stop this practice, and protect future generations.

Nazneen Vasi belongs to the Bohri community and advocates against the cultural practice of FGM/C. She currently resides in NY and works in women's health rehabilitation. 

Disclaimer

This blog was produced by Sahiyo under 15POVC-21-GG-00988-NONF, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this guide are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

By Trisha Kini

On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court made the devastating decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, thus denying women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) the right to safe abortions and bodily autonomy. Bodily autonomy, the foundation for gender equality, is a fundamental human right that impacts health, education, income, and safety. The lack of access to abortion in the absence of  Roe vs. Wade not only has harmful consequences for people with unintended pregnancies, but could also disproportionately impact women and AFAB people who may belong to communities that practice female genital cutting (FGC). 

Several harmful health complications can arise during pregnancy or childbirth for a survivor of FGC. According to a study by the World Health Organization, the perinatal mortality rate of FGC (type III)* survivors was higher than non-survivors by 55%. The study also found that survivors had a higher rate of cesarean sections, genital tract trauma, and postpartum hemorrhages. Survivors of FGC deserve the right to equitable healthcare options to protect them from these potential high risk, life threatening consequences; this includes the right to safe and legal abortions. 

Sahiyo interviewed three professionals involved in the anti-FGC movement across public health, reproductive health, and law disciplines in an effort to understand if the overturning of Roe v. Wade could impact survivors of FGC. The following explores highlights of our conversations surrounding abortion, FGC, health disparities, and reproductive health stigma with Karen McDonnell, PhD, Associate Professor, Milken Institute School of Public Health, and Author of FGM Toolkit; Sakina Sharp, Co-Founder of Awaaz, Lawyer, and Sahiyo Board Member; and Lizzy Dupont, MD, OBGYN. 

*Also known as infibulation, FGC Type III is the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal (WHO)

Reproductive Health, Justice, and FGC

Reproductive health and justice, which are essential human rights, imply that persons should be able to have the choice and freedom to safely reproduce, and to decide if and when they want to do so. Both the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the harmful practice of FGC directly inhibit reproductive health and justice.   

Dr. Karen McDonnell, Associate Professor in Prevention and Community Health, emphasized that ruling Roe v. Wade is important for an individual's right to bodily autonomy, and their sense of choice, trust, and safety. The overruling also disproportionately impacts those who experience distrust in healthcare, and this often includes survivors of FGC.

“To have that trust be violated really does inhibit our reproductive justice and our reproductive health. FGC does affect women's reproductive health and well-being. That has been demonstrated, and so by taking that freedom, trust, and care away, you're already talking about a vulnerable group of women from the start. Now you're making them even more vulnerable.” 

It is not uncommon for survivors of FGC to feel hesitant when seeking healthcare in general. Dr. Dupont works with individuals primarily identifying as women through adolescence, birth control consultation, and pregnancy of various types, including patients who have undergone FGC. She highlighted how excluding FGC as part of the medical school curricula impacts the quality of care providers offer, thus affecting survivors of FGC. 

“We're certainly not trained (in most medical schools or residency programs) on how to care for women who have undergone FGM/C. And so patient’s anxieties about approaching us as providers or about having an exam are well-founded.”

Could this additional layer of concern caused by the overruled Roe further result in barriers for survivors of FGC seeking abortions? 

Drawing Parallels: The Overruled Roe vs. Wade, FGC, and Bodily Autonomy

We often found parallels in our conversations surrounding FGC and the overturn of Roe vs. Wade. Sakina Sharp, a lawyer who has several years of experience in advocacy against domestic violence and FGC, drew a preliminary connection to women’s agency when discussing the connection between the Dobbs decision (which overturned Roe v Wade) and FGC. 

“The issue of FGC is around taking away women's agency. Decisions are made on behalf of women and little girls without them ever knowing about it or consenting. And the Dobbs decision does the same, right? It takes away women's agency, it takes away their right to decide what they want to do with their bodies. You want to see laws trending in a way where in a modern society there is recognition of women as full beings and women being able to do what they want to do with their body.” 

Even though the overturn is not directly connected to the human/women’s rights issue of FGC, it is a step back in the movement to give women power over their bodies. 

Dr. Dupont drew a similar parallel when addressing the importance of respecting patients' decisions. 

“In general, in all of reproductive health, we want to respect the patient's autonomy and ability to make decisions for herself/themselves. I think, FGC and abortion care both fall under that ethical principle. The underlying principle is that as physicians or midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, whatever provider may be seeing the patient, it's our job to respect the patient's autonomy and to support their desires clinically.” 

Health Disparities 

A study at Kaiser Family Foundation found that the overturning of Roe v. Wade disproportionately impacts women of color; this is caused by health disparities such as limited access to healthcare, as well as underlying systemic inequities that make access to abortion (particularly for those living in states where it is now illegal) more challenging. 

Dr. McDonnell explained that survivors of FGC may now be at a larger disparity, as FGC is largely practiced by communities of color. 

“When you look at the prevalence, when we ask about FGC worldwide, we do see that majority of women are women of color who have experienced FGC, so you'd take knowing that and then what the overturning of Roe v Wade is going to do to exacerbate those disparities and further limit the quality of care, the access to care. It goes to show that we are going to see those disparities further exacerbated without those safeguards that Roe v Wade has instilled.” 

Dr. Dupont highlighted that the decision impacts any group of people who already have limited access to medical care. 

“It's not just people affected by FGC, it's people of color, and people of low socioeconomic status. It's low health literacy, low English competence. All of these people are going to have even more limited access to abortion care. So let's say somebody already doesn't have insurance, doesn't speak English, doesn't know how the hospital system works, and has also undergone FGC. That's one more barrier that limits their access.” 

Abortion Stigma 

The Planned Parenthood Action Fund defines Abortion Stigma as the set of attitudes and beliefs, conscious or unconscious, that abortion is bad, shameful, or wrong. 

Sakina Sharp highlighted the parallels that exist within the experience of having undergone FGC and seeking an abortion, particularly around stigma. While FGC is a practice impacting those AFAB in over 90 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, as well as diaspora communities, it remains a difficult issue to openly talk about. This is often due to the secrecy and shame associated with the practice, otherwise known as stigma. The stigma of having undergone an abortion or seeking one can be similar to that of experiencing FGC. 

“It's very similar in terms of the shame that a woman has to bear when she's going through a situation where, you know, she might feel alone and she can't just go to Planned Parenthood and get an abortion, especially in Texas. Or in Oklahoma, right? And then she has to seek out resources sometimes without any support.” 

Healthcare systems and supporting survivors of FGC

As the post Roe era unfolds, it is imperative that healthcare systems take action to support survivors of FGC when providing their services. Our speakers stressed the importance of learning about the practice as a first step. Dr. Dupont highlighted the essentiality of incorporating FGC into the national standard of education for medical professionals. 

“Anyone who's going to do a pelvic exam needs to be familiar with the history, the terminology and basic management.”  

Dr. McDonnell shared a similar perspective on how providers can better support survivors; she discussed the importance of utilizing existing resources such as the FGM/C toolkit. If providers are not able to advise patients seeking abortions, they should be able to provide resources for patient support, even if it is an online provision of resources. 

“This is what we need to be doing immediately while we're working on a state and on the federal level to recreate the provisions that were afforded by Roe v. Wade. So we have an immediate need and we can't lose sight of where we need to go.” 

As we finished interviews, this quote by Sakina Sharp stood out to me as an action step going forward:

“I think there needs to be a recognition that these issues are connected. That it's sort of trauma on top of trauma for people who have experienced… both or have the ability to experience both. I also think it's important for organizations like Sahiyo or organizations, who are, you know, focused on FGC, to understand that there is a connection between the two [FGC and access to abortion] and stand with the people who are working on increasing access to abortion.”

By Cate Cox

Despite working at Sahiyo for nearly three years, it wasn’t until recently that I decided to participate in our popular ‘Voices to End FGM/C’ digital storytelling workshop. 

For so long I’ve been inspired by the strength and bravery of the storytellers I watched on my computer screen. I’ve used various Voices videos during Sahiyo events, and even helped to organize a Voices workshop. Despite this, I struggled with the idea of participating in the workshop myself. I wondered what my role was in the workshop as someone who does not come from a practing community and who has not undergone FGM/C. I worried that by participating in this workshop, I would be speaking over survivors or taking a space from them. 

Before joining the Spring 2023 cohort, I wanted to reflect on my many years at Sahiyo. I thought about how much this movement and work has taught me – not just about FGM/C but also about the world. I considered how listening to survivors of FGM/C at various events helped me to better understand patriarchal systems and how to resist them. How survivors' own radial embrace of their bodily autonomy and sexuality helped me to embrace my own. And finally, how their words helped me to feel seen about issues in my own life, like my vaginismus. 

I decided I did have a story to tell. However, my story wasn’t only that of an ally, but of someone who has had the privilege of growing up inside the movement to end FGM/C – surrounded by strength and support. During my first month at Sahiyo I celebrated my 19th birthday; this August I will be turning 22. If there is one thing I have learned throughout these years, it is that everyone has something to learn from the movement to abandon FGM/C. That is the story I wanted to share through my Voices to End FGM/C project. 

In that sense, I cannot help thinking about my video “Being Seen” as a kind of love letter to the people I have met on this journey. To the activists, doctors, authors, students, researchers, and others who have dedicated their lives to ending FGM/C. My video is thank you to them, because by being themselves, unapologetically, they have allowed me to see myself in more clarity. 

Catherine Cox is a senior at Simmons University studying International Relations and Economics. Her research and work experiences center on the rights of women and girls, gender-based violence, as well as conflict and migration. She has had numerous international internships in places like Jordan and Cameroon addressing these topics. She currently works as the U.S. Programs Coordinator at Sahiyo: United Against Female Genital Cutting. Her research has previously been published in the Journal of Student Research, the Southern Connecticut State University Undergraduate Journal Society, Justice, and the Law and she has presented her work at various conferences including NEPSA and SCUSA. In 2022 she won the Simmons Alumni Academic Achievement award for her work and dedication to community service. She is also a recipient of the Barabra Lee Foundation Fellowship.

Disclaimer
This blog was produced by Sahiyo under 15POVC-21-GG-00988-NONF, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this guide are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

On March 13th, Sahiyo held our first Voices to End FGM/C Healing Circle in partnership with StoryCenter and Asian Women’s Shelter. As the Voices to End FGM/C project has grown over the past 5 years with over 60 participants, storytellers have asked to be able to connect in other ways. After receiving feedback via a survey on what additional support structures would be helpful for our program participants, we initiated the Voices to End FGM/C Healing Circles. These Healing Circles continue to provide a safe space for our past project participants to hold conversations with one another on FGM/C; to reflect on their journey in sharing their story; and continue to  strengthen their support systems in place by building community with Voices participants from other cohorts. 

Sahiyo is happy to announce we’re hosting our first hybrid-format Voices to End FGM/C Digital Storytelling Workshop this August 2023! During this workshop, each participant will learn to create their own video through the use of voiceover audio, still images, and video clips. This participatory media process will be guided by facilitators from Sahiyo, StoryCenter, and Asian Women’s Shelter. 

Online Workshop Dates: Tues, Aug 15th & Tue, Aug 22nd (via Zoom)

In-person Workshop Dates: Sat, Aug 26th & Sun, Aug 27th

In-person Workshop Location: Oakland, California. 

Who Can Apply: Individuals living in the U.S. who have experienced FGM/C, as well as family members, friends, advocates, and others living in the U.S. who would like to share a story about the impact of FGM/C in their lives. 

Application Link: https://bit.ly/VoicesWorkshop2023. 

Application Deadline: July 15th

TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE for all who are accepted into the program and in need of financial support to attend the workshop!

To learn more about the Voices workshop experience, watch our behind the scenes video.

Zehra Patwa, Sahiyo U.S. Advisory Board Chair, is the Co-Founder and U.S. Lead of WeSpeakOut, an organization that strives to work for equal rights for Bohra women in all spheres of life, specifically, on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) or khafz. She grew up in London and was educated at the University of Bradford Management Centre in the UK and the Université de Montpellier in France. She serves on several boards, including Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS), and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Sahiyo US Advisory Board. After discovering well into adulthood, that khatna or khafz (type 1 FGM/C) was practiced in her community and that she, too, had been subjected to it, she decided she could no longer keep silent. Although she has no recollection of the practice being done to her, she is vehemently opposed to it and has been working with WeSpeakOut to expose the practice within, and outside, the community. Zehra is passionate about a lot of things including food and family (not necessarily in that order!) and bringing about an anti-FGM/C law in Connecticut. She currently works in Digital Customer Delivery for the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Connecticut.

How did you first get involved with Sahiyo?

Back in 2015, I was invited to join a Whatsapp group of women around the world who were starting to talk about khatna, or female genital cutting/mutilation (FGM/C), in the Bohra community. This mighty group of women included the founders of Sahiyo. I had recently learned that khatna was happening in my community and had also learned that I had been cut as a 7-year-old girl. I was still working on accepting that my community perpetrated this harmful traditional practice, but hearing what other women had experienced further reinforced the impact of this practice and spurred me to speak out publicly about khatna. Since then I have been connected to Sahiyo in various ways, as a partner with WeSpeakOut, a retreat organizer, a volunteer, as Vice Chair, and now, as Chair of the Advisory Board.

What are some goals (both short term and long term) that you aim to work towards? 

My short term goal is to encourage participation in the Activists Retreats. With the recent federal grant we've received, Sahiyo can provide a retreat experience to survivors from other Asian communities beyond the Bohra community. My long term goal is to help the organization on its path to sustainability. This includes setting Sahiyo on its way to becoming an independent charitable organization, a 501(c)(3), as well as helping the organizational structure grow so that Sahiyo can leverage its vast institutional knowledge to promote social change. 

What are you most looking forward to in this new role? 

I'm thrilled to be in the role that I have been adjacent to for so long as Vice-Chair, because I can bring my previous Board experience and knowledge of Sahiyo to help the organization grow. Working alongside Sakina Sharp, our new Vice Chair of the Advisory Board, will also be fascinating; she has a deep understanding of the domestic violence sphere with her non-profit work.

As the Co-founder of WeSpeakOut and as a longtime resident of Connecticut, what are some insights you can share with us on the different lenses through which you have viewed FGM/C? 

Interestingly, it was almost easier to speak about FGM/C within my community, as it was such a well known, albeit underground, practice that was already understood. As an advocate for an anti-FGM/C law in Connecticut, I have had to explain the nuances surrounding cutting and the motivations of parents who have their daughters cut. People outside cutting communities are usually horrified to hear about this practice, understandably, so I am trying to help people appreciate that it is a sometimes subtle practice that some women claim has had no impact on their lives. However, so many of us carry the trauma of what was done to us deep within ourselves and Sahiyo provides avenues to share these experiences and impacts in a sensitive and supportive forum where healing and activism work together.  

What, according to you, is the most urgent calling that needs to be supported in order to bring an end to this practice?

Having anti-FGM/C state laws is crucial to encouraging an end to this practice. Sharing stories is an incredibly impactful way to bring about this social change, and Sahiyo has used its Voices to End FGM/C program to change minds so that future generations of girls are spared from harm.

Sahiyo, as part of the Washington Coalition to End FGM/C, is ecstatic to announce that on April 20th, 2023, Washington state Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5453 concerning female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) into law. This law creates a private right of action for survivors of FGM/C; prohibits providers from performing FGM/C on a minor; establishes education and outreach initiatives to prevent FGM/C; and provides care for victims and families of FGM/C. Many thanks and congratulations to all who were involved in this legislative process!

Below are reactions to the bill’s passage by members of Washington Coalition to End FGM/C. This survivor- and community-led coalition was instrumental in advocating for and gathering support to make this law a reality.  

“SB 5354 passing is a victory and an emotional moment on so many levels. The power of the collective work and collaboration of the coalition members and affected communities is a living example of the power of community engagement/involvement. The representation and story shared is so real and compelling. The coalition work is not yet over, the coalition work model should be replicated to propose similar bills in the remaining nine states. More importantly, the bulk of the work starts after SB 5354 was signed by the Governor. The goal is to make sure appropriate pathways, educational programs, and materials developed to meet these communities' needs are culturally sensitive and will maintain families well beings, as well as promote healing; and the community should have access (parents, children, and professionals). I am so proud to be a part of this great coalition.”

~Dr. Muna Osman

“Passing this bill is long overdue, and I feel proud to see Washington state join the 40 other states that have acted to end this practice. The collaborative work of our coalition that led to the passing of SB 5453 in Washington can serve as a model for the 9 other states that have yet to act against female genital cutting. This law presents an opportunity for a much-needed conversation and education on FGC in our communities and is a critical step towards advancing gender equity and human rights while safeguarding future generations of girls and women from this harmful practice.” 

~Absa Samba

"It's absolutely amazing to see that Washington has become the 41st state to pass a law to protect children from female genital mutilation/cutting. Over the past 10 years, I've been fortunate to be part of survivor-led coalitions in Massachusetts and Connecticut that have sought to create change when it comes to ending this harmful practice. I am amazed by just how quickly we were able to form a survivor-led coalition in Washington, and I am forever grateful that our bill sponsor, Senator Keiser understood the importance of ensuring that the language of this bill was based on feedback from FGC-impacted communities themselves." 

~Mariya Taher, Executive Director, Sahiyo U.S.

“The only way the United States can effectively advance gender equality is if we lead by example. And that starts, here at home. Five years ago, I started a petition to push Washington state to ban FGM, mobilizing over 170,000 supporters along the way.  I’m grateful for Absa Samba, a bright light and young leader who convened survivors from diverse backgrounds, to craft legislation that balances prosecution and prevention in a way that can serve as a model for not just Washington state, but the world. The passing of this bill illustrates how survivor-fueled advocacy can lead to sustainable social change.”

~Maryum Saifee

“I joined Absa Samba as she created a coalition of diverse Washington State women who live in communities affected by FGM, were bravely willing to share their personal experience with FGM, and share a commitment to curbing this practice through the passage of SB 5453. As a professor of anthropology with decades of experience studying strategies to end FGM, I offered testimony on the proven importance of legislation as a tool for change, particularly when it funds outreach and education. When families and community members deliberate upon whether a girls should undergo FGM, knowledge of the law strengthens the power of persuasion of those who no longer endorse the practice. As such, the law will strengthen efforts to prevent girls in Washington State from being subjected to the practice of FGM.”

~Bettina Shell-Duncan

"The U.S. End FGM/C Network is thrilled to see the passing of SB5453, making Washington State the 41st state in the U.S. to take a stand against FGM/C. This new law sets a precedent for the remaining 9 states to pass comprehensive, holistic laws to protect women and children across this country. We also know that this is only the first step and we look forward to working with the WA Department of Health, the WA Coalition to End FGM/C, impacted communities, and other stakeholders to ensure that this law is implemented to its fullest potential." 

~Caitlin LeMay, Executive Director, The U.S. End FGM/C Network 

“Children's Alliance is honored to have had the opportunity to work alongside an incredible team of FGM/C survivors and advocates to pass this critically important legislation. Washington state was a laggard in providing protections against this practice; our state's children and youth will greatly benefit from the work of this coalition.”

~Dr. Stephan Blanford, Executive Director, Children's Alliance

"It saddens me that it is 2023, and young girls are still at risk of facing FGM/C or have already experienced such a traumatic incident. It is heartbreaking and needs to come to an end. This bill is one step closer to making young girls feel safe in Washington. This bill is hope, hope that young girls in Washington will not experience such a violent act. Now, it's time to work on an effective implementation that will change their lives."

~Mother Africa 

"We applaud Washington lawmakers for taking this critical step in the fight to eradicate the practice of FGM in the United States, and call on the remaining nine states to take similar action. FGM is a serious human rights violation that causes irreversible, life-long harm. Thousands of women and girls in America remain at risk until FGM is banned in every state."

~Jill Thompson, Regional Representative for North America and Global Lead on Adolescent Girls at Equality Now 

“I’m overjoyed and extremely grateful that Washington state has taken a stand against female genital mutilation (FGM) by passing legislation that bans this harmful practice. This law will help protect girls from this form of violence and allow them the opportunity to live their lives free from harm. It’s a powerful reminder that when we come together to fight for what’s right, we can make a real difference in the world.” 

~ Farah Ali