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.

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.

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, 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

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.

By Farrah Dalal

I could speak to a multitude of ways in which female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has impacted my life and experiences. However, I choose to focus my first attempt at storytelling on my college years, rather than the actual physical trauma I endured. Here’s why: 

Many of us are cut as young children. 

We feel pain, we are pacified, we heal physically, and we continue being children. We may feel upset or betrayed, if we even remember, but we are far from understanding the significance of what has occurred. It isn’t until our teen or young adult years when we encounter a trigger, or new knowledge, when we can begin to wrap our heads around what this means for us. For me, this was a crisis that began and lasted throughout my college experience. 

College/young adulthood is a significant developmental time for everyone. 

I landed myself in a place where I was no longer a minority, and was surrounded by like-minded people. I had earned a place among the best and brightest, but instead, found myself experiencing the worst case of imposter syndrome; I felt the most isolated I had ever been. What should have been an exciting time of exploration and discovery, was ruined…by me. For the first time, I could process what had happened to me in an environment away from home – the unfairness of it, the irreversibility of it, the lack of accountability for it – and this planted a deep-seeded rage that I wrestled with daily. 

I lost important time and opportunities that I wish I could get back. 

FGM/C persists and permeates long after the act is done. It left me questioning my entire upbringing and the role of all of the people in it who had led me to this darkness. I shared my story with doctors and educators with the  hope that someone would  provide me with an answer of what to do next. However, at that time, no one knew what to do or say to help me. 

Being so affected by this experience is what led me to student affairs work and graduate studies in college student development. I hope to impart what I’ve learned along the way to anyone struggling, and am always looking for opportunities to be a part of the larger conversation. I’m so grateful for Sahiyo, and for the Voices to End FGM/C project for providing me with the platform to bring this story out of the darkness. Nearly two decades later, I am still healing and working on growing around my grief. Now, I think about who I want to be because this happened to me. I hope to break the cycle of trauma by redefining what it means to be a woman in my role as a wife, mother, and activist; I can continue contributing to a growing body of voices that will put an end to this practice in my daughter’s lifetime. 

 Farrah Dalal M.Ed has worked in various university settings all over the country. After receiving a BA in Sociology from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), her interest in public service and education led her to pursue a graduate degree in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from the University of Southern California (USC). She currently resides in the St. Louis area with her young family, working part-time as an admissions reader for major universities.

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.