By Huda Syyed

It took me a while to realise that research isn’t just about crunching numbers and gathering quantitative data. When dealing with issues such as female genital cutting (FGC), human interaction and communication can play a more important role than numbers; to open up and speak about one’s experience of FGC requires a high level of trust and safety. It is important to create a safe and trusting place for those who have survived FGC and are sharing their stories. I think this is why it’s best to let survivors narrate their own stories and navigate conversation at their own pace. 

In my short experience as a researcher, I learnt how important it is to have conversations that relay the stories and backgrounds of people. Without understanding the stories of people, it is impossible to collect qualitative data about culture and communities. Interviewing research participants also has an element similar to storytelling because people can share details about their background, an event or even a practice. Consent and comfort are primary indicators of whether or not a person is willing to share their thoughts, and I think it is important to acknowledge these indicators before starting a conversation to ensure that there is an ethicality to storytelling. Any hints of discomfort and hesitation on the part of the survivor should be taken seriously to make sure that re-traumatization does not occur. The well-being and readiness of people should be of utmost priority to researchers, because true storytelling does not come from a place of coercion or reluctance.  

Storytelling is an effective way to open dialogue or start a conversation about FGC. Voices to End FGM/C, a collaboration between Sahiyo and StoryCenter, is an example of survivors sharing their experiences to create more awareness, understanding, and public dialogue about the practice, with a prioritized sense of agency in creating their own story. What began with Sahiyo co-founder Mariya Taher sharing her own story and encouraging other women in the United States to come forward with their stories has had a ripple effect, and we continue to see Sahiyo engaging in extensive dialogues. Other Sahiyo programs like Bhaiyo were created to include men in this necessary dialogue, as well as "to provide love, support, and community towards the advocates and survivors working to end FGC.”

Something that started off among women has grown into a larger platform where friends, fathers, brothers and husbands are coming forward to end FGC together. The biggest takeaway from this is how storytelling and conversations created a domino effect and led to more people learning and talking about FGC. 

From a research perspective, storytelling and conversations can lead to more data, which helps us understand the practice and its impact. My research focuses on Pakistan, where there is very little data and no public record of FGC, thus creating a huge research gap yet to be explored. I think storytelling and conversations could be the start of creating more awareness and understanding of FGC in Pakistan. Since any topic that deals with female genitalia or sexuality is seen as shameful in Pakistani society, it may take a while for people to engage in open dialogue about FGC. Due to cultural and religious connotations, people are hesitant about discussing such topics because they are considered inappropriate. Patriarchal undertones within Pakistani society frame women’s bodies as non-autonomous and often under the surveillance or submission to the male figure. Honour killings and other gender-based violence crimes take place under the notion that women’s bodies carry the honour of husbands, brothers or fathers. These assumptions about women and their bodies probably adds to the invisibility or lack of dialogue regarding female genital cutting (FGC). 

It is not uncommon to find qualitative researchers exploring topics of gender-based violence and women’s rights through stories and narratives. It gives social scientists a deeper insight into how culture, gender, and society work. In such cases, I don’t think quantitative data can capture people’s experiences or the cultural or religious attributes attached to them. Storytelling and conversations give researchers the space to gather data as listeners or bystanders, while allowing the story-teller/interviewee/conversationalist to share details on their own terms. 

I will end my thoughts on this note: 

“If story is central to human meaning why, in the world, is there not more storytelling?” 

Trisha is a recent graduate of UMass Amherst, with majors in public health and biology. She is passionate about health policy, health equity, and is a strong advocate for women’s rights. She currently works in health policy at a cancer research organization, and hopes to pursue a profession in health law in the future. She believes that intersectional feminism is an important component to addressing gender-based health inequities in healthcare systems, and is looking forward to raising awareness about the severe impacts of gender based violence especially among minority communities.

What was your experience of learning about female genital cutting (FGC) for the first time like?

I learned about FGC through a college course when we were shown a list of women’s health topics to choose from for a final project. The words “female genital mutilation/cutting” caught my attention as a potential topic because I had never heard about it before. The existence and concept of FGC was foreign to me, though I later learned it actively takes place in my home country, India. As I delved into my research, I was shocked to realize how prevalent, invasive, and harmful the practice is. 

Understanding the implications of undergoing the practice made me feel angry for the individuals that experience it, as it is another harmful and non-consensual way to prescribe value to women, and those assigned female at birth, through their bodies. 

When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo?

I got involved with Sahiyo in July 2022, but have had Sahiyo’s website bookmarked since completing my project in 2021, when I first knew I wanted to apply for a position with this organization. I aimed to learn more about the practice through active involvement, and do my part to show up for South Asian and other individuals that are affected by the practice, as well as other forms of gender based violence (GBV). Soon after graduating, I contacted the Programs Coordinator, Cate Cox, and had the honor of joining the Programs team. 

What does your work with Sahiyo involve?

My work with Sahiyo involves collaboration with like-minded, amazing individuals who are passionate about ending FGC and other forms of GBV. As a Programs Intern, I organize webinars through research and speaker outreach, create supporting materials, write reflections/blog posts on previous webinars, and attend events surrounding reproductive justice and women’s rights hosted by other organizations. I’m also very excited to get involved with the other ongoing projects at Sahiyo. 

How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life?

My involvement with Sahiyo has impacted my life greatly - from the extent to which I have learned about FGC, and the many intersections at play, to defining my own interests and career goals. I admire Sahiyo for the immense amount of effort the organization makes to support survivors while striving to put an end to the practice. Sahiyo allows for me to better understand and reflect on my passion for women’s rights, and has helped me affirm my decision to dedicate my professional journey to the same. Collaborating with the Programs team, and learning about FGC and societal constructs that reinforce the practice, has also given me the space to reflect on the norms we choose to stay silent on as a society. Overall, I am grateful for my experience with Sahiyo and I am so excited to be a part of Sahiyo’s mission to end FGC. 

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

Start a conversation about FGC with your parents, friends, and peers. Listen to survivors, learn, and get involved whether it is through sharing social media posts, making donations, or volunteering with anti-FGC organizations. Finally, take care of your own mental health as you continue to advocate for the health, safety, and rights of individuals affected by FGC.

By Urvashi Sharma

I recently spoke with Mohammad Chappalwala about being a Bhaiyo, or male ally, and some of his experiences. It was a great opportunity to learn more about Mohammad’s story, and the work he has done towards ending FGC. This story is just one example of the necessity for men to stand up and speak out, to help support the ending of this harmful practice from continuing.

Mohammad and Mr. N were initially connected through Sahiyo, as Mr. N was concerned about undergoing a separation from his wife and the potential implications of his young daughters being cut: “He has two daughters, now probably aged six and eight.” 

Looking for a fellow father to speak with on this issue, Mr. N was introduced to Mohammad via Whatsapp, and a conversation on mutual interests ensued. Mohammad was pleasantly surprised by the fact that “he really was quite open about specific details in his life…because he was very invested in FGC not happening to his daughters.” 

Soon, Mohammad was able to provide advice on the matter: “I started with small suggestions of ways in which he could approach the issue based on what I had learnt from the [Sahiyo Activists] Retreat, talking with Aarefa etc., and we decided that he would speak with his wife first and convince her not to give in to what her parents wanted to be done to the daughters. I suggested this because in my experience, most elderly members (age 60+) of the community are very rigid in their thinking and are difficult to convince.”

Mr. N had never spoken with his wife about their daughters undergoing FGC, and wanted to include Mohammad in the effort to convince his wife that his daughters should not be cut. “In the end I talked to his wife and she said that she was also against FGC and that she would not let it happen to her children regardless of the stance of her relatives.”

Afterwards, Mohammad was able to share this good news with Mr. N. “I went back… and told him that his wife was mostly sorted and that he shouldn’t worry that much anymore.”

The two men stay in touch on and off, and this interaction led Mohammad to “ think of more complicated cases and how we reach those people. How do we tell them that we exist?” Ultimately, we agreed that storytelling itself is powerful in that if you hear about something that has happened to you from a person 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 another member from Bhaiyo Murtaza Kapasi has said: “Bhaiyo allows men to have open and honest conversations about topics they may or may not know should be important to them. As brothers, it’s our collective responsibility to leave the world safer than we found it for those that we love. Bhaiyo aims to raise awareness to help advocates and survivors working to end FGC today.”

Sahiyo’s Editorial Team aims to make the storytelling process more accessible. Zoom Interviews are an option for anyone who is uninterested in the writing experience, but still looking to share their story. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

This past year, Sahiyo has collaborated with Asian Women’s Shelter (AWS) on a number of trainings to educate staff, volunteers, and crisis line workers on the impact of FGC in the United States, as well as how to support survivors of FGC. The goal of this collaborative project between Sahiyo and AWS is to address gaps in resources for survivors from underrepresented populations within the U.S. who need support services to reduce the harms of FGC. With that in mind, the AWS crisis line will be open for taking calls from FGC survivors and impacted communities starting on August 26th, 2022 in honor of Women's Equality Day.

Hotline Operator: San Francisco Asian Women’s Shelter

Number: 1-877-751-0880

Hours of Operation: Monday thru Friday, 9 to 5 pm PST

By Katie Geren

Female genital cutting (FGC) is a global issue. It happens in many countries, including the United States, though that is not often common knowledge here. I learned about FGC for the first time in one of my college communication classes, and was surprised I had never heard of the practice before. I wanted to help those affected by it, but I felt unsure if I could have an impact on this issue. I was just one person, how could I help? I felt a heavy weight that day. When I found Sahiyo, I knew that ending FGC was important work that I wanted to contribute to. The community helped me realize that while I am just one person, there is a lot I can do to support other women. I felt determined to advocate for survivor’s rights. Yet, I was doubtful about my ability to cope with learning more about FGC. 

Once I started my internship with the Social Media team, I found the opposite to be true. I was empowered and inspired by the women at Sahiyo who had the courage to share their stories and uplift others. I think it is understandable that people have reservations about this topic; it can be uncomfortable. Even Americans who have heard about FGC may be unsure how to talk about it or how they can help end the practice. 

It has been proven that more education and knowledge shared about this practice leads to a greater chance of the FGC being prevented from continuing. Learning this, I wondered about how Americans can learn more about FGC and help organizations like Sahiyo to end it.

Using social media to distribute information brings attention to FGC. 

Sharing accurate information, like the resources created by Sahiyo, helps to educate the public while prioritizing culturally sensitive and inclusive framing of the practice. Anti-FGC support from our leaders and healthcare professionals helps tremendously to change social norms and influence communities. As a Social Media intern at Sahiyo, a huge part of my work is helping with campaigns and posts. I have seen how dedicated volunteers, interns, and staff reach out to survivors and work to end FGC, and it is amazing to see survivors of FGC inspiring each other to share their stories. There is a real passion for women’s rights and community here.

It is a step in the right direction when even a single person becomes educated on a topic. 

From my experience at Sahiyo, I am able to start conversations with friends and family about FGC and what I have learned about it. This organization is amazing because survivor’s voices are encouraged and uplifted through storytelling, connection with community, and support. There is emphasis on women being able to tell their story in their own words. Americans may think that FGC is only a problem that other cultures in other countries have. By reading and listening to stories, I have learned FGC is much more widespread than I realized. It happens on every continent people live except Antarctica. It has happened here in America as well. This practice continues worldwide because of a lack of sex education and equality for women. It is challenging to accept that aspects of cultures we belong to are harmful, but it is something we should consider no matter where we grew up. Instead of dividing us, this education can show us that there are improvements we can all make to work for equality and bodily autonomy for women.

It can seem overwhelming, and at times impossible, to fight for women’s rights. Especially now, with the fight for abortion rights in America, many may feel locked in an endless battle. When we feel this way, community and support are more important than ever. It reminds us we are not alone, and that others feel this way too. Uniting with other women and allies right now is the best way to push for equality. I think it is important to educate ourselves on the issues first, and then figure out how we can all do our part. We can use tools we have, like social media, to spread information and remind each other we are in this together. It is not easy, but if we all do something small to help, we can create change.

Date: August 24th 

Time: 12 noon PDT, 3 PM EDT (U.S.)

Registration link: https://bit.ly/Voices2022Screening 

On Wednesday, August 24th at 12 noon PDT / 3 PM EDT, Sahiyo will host a screening of the newest Voices to End FGM/C videos, which were developed through Sahiyo and StoryCenter’s Spring 2022 workshop with 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 always wanted to tell my story so that I can tell another survivor ‘you are not alone,’ and I hope by educating others, by extension I can help save their daughters. After watching a couple of Sahiyo stories, I knew I needed to be one of the storytellers. I am so grateful for the opportunity accorded to me.” 

- Maryan, Voices to End FGM/C 2022 Spring Cohort Storyteller

The Voices to End FGM/C Project is a digital storytelling project created by StoryCenter and Sahiyo that aims to mobilize a critical mass of storytellers and activists from across the globe. Voices brings people together to share and heal from their experiences of FGM/C, connect and grow as leaders in their own communities, and create short videos calling for an end to this harmful practice.

For those who are interested, we are also accepting applications for our Fall 2022 Voices to End FGM/C workshop. Apply here.

Sahiyo is excited to announce that applications are open for our Fall 2022 Voices to End FGM/C online digital storytelling workshop, as part 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 impacted by female genital cutting (FGC)to share their experiences  in hopes of preventing this harmful practice from occurring to the next generation. Our work on the Voices project began in 2018 and has supported more than 55 survivors and advocates in speaking out against FGC.

When is the workshop being held? 4-6 PM Pacific / 7-9 PM Eastern (U.S. time), on six Mondays starting Monday, October 24 through Monday December 5, 2022 (no meeting Monday November 21, Thanksgiving week). 

Who can attend? The workshop is open to survivors and community members impacted by FGM/C who are currently U.S. based residents. 

What happens in the online sessions? 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 and StoryCenter. 

How do I apply? If you’re interested in taking part, fill out an application by Friday October 7, 2022. 

Here is the application: https://bit.ly/VoicesFall2022Application

What happens after the workshop? Following the workshop, Sahiyo will support storytellers in publicly sharing their videos as part of our ongoing education and advocacy work to end FGC.

If you would like more information about this powerful storytelling experience, please email Mariya Taher at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To view digital stories from previous “Voices to End FGM/C” workshops, click here.

Event: Sahiyo Discusses: You Still Look the Same by Farzana Doctor

Date: September 21, 2022

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/SahiyoDiscusses

Sahiyo invites you to join the next iteration of Sahiyo Discusses!

Designed to bring people together through literature, art, and media, Sahiyo Discusses hosts quarterly meetings with activists and allies in Sahiyo’s network to discuss a  chosen piece of media. With themes including feminism, 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 Same by Farzana Doctor. Farzana Doctor is a writer, activist, and psychotherapist. She currently volunteers with WeSpeakOut, a global group that is working to ban female genital cutting (FGC) in her Dawoodi Bohra community, and is a co-founder of the End FGM Canada Network. Farzana is also behind Dear Maasi, a sex and relationships column on Sahiyo’s blog for FGC survivors.

Her newest collection of poetry, You Still Look the Same, is both an intimate deep-dive and a humorous glance at the tumultuous decade of her forties. Through crisp and vivid language, Doctor explores mid-life breakups and dating, FGC, imprints of racism and misogyny, and the oddness of sex and love; she urges us to take a second look at the ways in which human relationships are never what we expect them to be.

Sahiyo Discusses members will have the opportunity to discuss this book with Farzana and ask pertinent questions.

Admission to Sahiyo Discusses is based on a suggested minimum donation of $25.00 USD per event. 

Donors who contribute $100 or more will have access to Sahiyo Discusses events for a full calendar year.  

If you or anyone in your network is interested in joining us please register and donate here: https://bit.ly/SahiyoDiscusses

Thank you all for your continued dedication to Sahiyo’s mission, and we look forward to seeing you all there! 

In Her Own Words: Farzana Doctor’s Full Bio

Farzana Doctor is a writer, activist, and psychotherapist. Her ancestry is Indian, and she was born in Zambia while her family was based there for five years, before immigrating to Canada in 1971.

She became interested in community organizing as a teen (primarily environmental issues, gender violence, and LGBTTTIQ rights). From 2009-18, she curated the Brockton Writers Series and has been a volunteer with The Writers’ Union of Canada and the Writers’ Trust. She currently volunteers with WeSpeakOut, a global group that is working to ban female genital cutting in her Dawoodi Bohra community. Farzana is also behind Dear Maasi, a sex and relationships column on Sahiyo’s blog for FGC survivors. She co-founded the End FGM Canada Network.

She studied social work in the early nineties and has been a social worker ever since. She worked in a variety of community agencies and a hospital before starting part-time private practice, where she sees individuals and couples.

She has been writing all of her life but it became a more regular practice around 2000, when she began writing her first novel, Stealing Nasreen, which was published by Inanna in 2007. Her second novel, Six Metres of Pavement, won a 2012 Lambda Literary Award and was short-listed for the 2012 Toronto Book Award. In 2017 it was voted the One Book One Brampton 2017 winner. Her third novel, All Inclusive was a Kobo 2015 and National Post Best Book of the Year. Her fourth novel, Seven was chosen for many 2020 Best Book lists and shortlisted for the Trillium and Evergreen Awards. Her poetry collection, You Still Look The Same, was just released in May 2022.

While all her books are distinct from one another, some common themes include loss, relationships, community, healing, racism, LGBT rights, diasporic identity, and feminism. She seamlessly blends strong stories with social justice issues. 

She has just finished work on a YA novel and is editing a new self-care workbook. She is represented by Rachel Letofsky of CookeMcDermid.

She’s an amateur Tarot card reader and has a love of spirituality, energy psychology, hypnosis, and neuroscience.

She lives with her partner and dog near the lake in South Etobicoke, the traditional territory of the Haudenosauneega, Anishinabek, and Huron-Wendat peoples.