On November 4, Sahiyo U.S. hosted a vibrant webinar titled: Youth Advocacy Against Female Genital Cutting (FGC): A Conversation on Change, where a global community of advocates, educators, medical professionals, and human rights advocates gathered to share experiences and strategies for change. The diversity of perspectives in attendance highlighted how broad the movement to end FGC is. We heard from students who are passionate about women’s health, professors seeking to educate themselves on FGC, and activists working directly in their communities to end this harmful practice. Attendees gathered from near and far, with some folks tuning in from the city of Chicago and others from Singapore! 

Panelists at the event shared how youth are uniquely positioned to challenge entrenched norms and misconceptions around FGC. One advocate emphasized the importance of research and access to resources in academic institutions. Another spoke on the power of intergenerational engagement, highlighting how each generation brings unique strengths to the movement. Addressing the diverse cultural landscape, a third panelist discussed the significance of incremental progress in regions where FGC is deeply rooted in community social norms, stressing that every step forward, no matter how small, contributes to broader change.

As one attendee described, the stories that were shared among the group were “beautiful, heartbreaking, and powerful,” while others thanked the panelists for their “bravery in turning betrayal into action.”

For those who couldn’t join, here is a link to the recording of the webinar. We encourage you to watch and reflect on this incredible event alongside us!

To our Sahiyo community,

We know that many of you, like us, are feeling disappointed, sad, and scared as a result of the 2024 presidential election. We want you to know that we see you and that your feelings are valid.

We also want to remind you that Sahiyo will continue to work every day to support survivors of female genital cutting (FGC) and promote gender equality, no matter what. We will work even harder with the strength of our community and an unwavering belief in our cause. Most of all, we want you to know that we are with you and that we will get through this together.

In that spirit, we’re providing links to resources that could be helpful at this time:

• Our partner the Asian Women’s Shelter has a helpful crisis line for FGC survivors (1-877-751-0880)
• Rape / Sexual Abuse / Incest National Hotline (RAIN): 800-656-4673
• Members of the LGBTQ community can call 1-866-488-7386 or visit www.thetrevorproject.org 
• The South Asian Network provides a variety of health and wellbeing resources along with useful information to help immigrants protect themselves
• BlackLine Crisis Call Line: 1-800-604-5841 
• The National Hispanic Family Health Helpline, Su Familia: 1-866-783-2645
• Dial 988 or visit www.988lifeline.org if you or somebody you know are in a crisis or experiencing thoughts of suicide 
• Psychology Today is a large directory connecting you with therapists, support groups, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals in your area or virtually

Please make some time to take care of yourselves, to rest, and to be gentle with yourself as you process your very valid emotions. Know that this is not the end of our battle, but just a setback reminding us of the importance of the work we do. We’re determined to work even harder than even before to help survivors and create a more just world for all.  

With love and in solidarity from the entire Sahiyo team,

Mariya Taher

Sahiyo U.S. Executive Director

Sahiyo U.S. invites you to join our upcoming training session: Prevention Efforts for FGM/C Across the Country on December 12, 2024 at 12-1:30 PM PT/ 3-4:30 PM ET.

This training was developed in collaboration with our project partners the U.S. End FGM/C Network, Mother Africa, and the Washington Department of Health, as part of our efforts to prevent and respond to FGM/C in Washington State. In this session we will delve into prevention programming and efforts on FGM/C in the United States. Our aim is to equip organizations, service providers, advocates, and community leaders with the knowledge, tools, and frameworks to best engage in preventing FGM/C.

Through this training we will uplift best practices and insights on prevention programming and provide individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills to engage in effective and culturally sensitive prevention work. The training will also feature speakers from organizations that have successfully integrated prevention programming strategies into their work to stop FGM/C and save those who are at risk. 

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Be introduced to case studies of impactful prevention programs, showcasing key success factors and lessons learned
• Identify strategies for building cross-sector collaborations and partnerships
• Learn about best practices for engaging communities in prevention efforts

Register here!

Kira joins Sahiyo with a background in humanitarian advocacy, communications, community outreach, and storytelling. She completed her B.F.A. with a concentration in Stage and Screen Performance and a Communications minor from George Mason University. She also works as an activist fighting for adoptee rights. Kira is dedicated to Sahiyo’s mission of ending female genital cutting, and she is passionate about leveraging her experience to further this important message.

When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo?

I first started working with Sahiyo in early October 2024! When I read about Sahiyo’s mission, it really resonated with me, as I already do a lot of advocacy work and community outreach. I was excited to apply for this position because it meant that I could use my previous experience to contribute to the important mission of ending female genital cutting (FGC) worldwide.

What does your work with Sahiyo involve?

As the Communications Assistant, I work with Communications Coordinator, Kristel Mendoza to create social media content and strategize campaign releases. We also provide support in organizing Sahiyo’s fundraising and events. I have enjoyed meeting Sahiyo’s team members and volunteers, who have all been  warm and welcoming!

How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life?

I have learned so much about the practice of FGC in the short time I’ve been with Sahiyo. Before I applied to this organization, I had no idea that FGC occurred in the US at all. I feel better equipped to help bring more awareness to FGC, and I’m more passionate about Sahiyo’s mission of ending FGC, and working toward creating a culture that values consent as well as the rights of  children and women. I look forward to continuing to learn from survivors and activists as I continue to work with Sahiyo.

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

Do not hesitate! Sahiyo fosters an approachable and safe community. There are so many opportunities, big and small, to get involved. I firmly believe that education is a vital first step toward actionable and sustainable change, so taking the time to learn more independently is also creating change. Any amount of support contributes to the mission of ending FGC and creating a safer world for women and children. 

On October 29, Sahiyo U.S. partnered with AshaKiran, an Alabama-based organization, to host a Female Genital Cutting 101: An Introduction to FGC training. AshaKiran is dedicated to supporting underserved communities in crises such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking born outside of the U.S.

This training focused on building foundational knowledge around FGC and its impact on women and girls both in the United States and globally. Led by Sahiyo’s Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator Aries Nuño, Volunteer Huda Syed, and Development Intern Elaina Baliner, the session addressed FGC as a form of gender-based violence (GBV) that remains largely hidden and perpetuated by silence within communities.

A key discussion point was Alabama’s unique position as one of the states without specific laws against FGC, emphasizing the importance of advocacy, policy change, and increased awareness in areas where legal protections for women and girls remain limited.

Participants explored the need for trauma-informed, culturally sensitive services, as well as the role of enhanced data, research, and community engagement to strengthen prevention, protection, and support for those at risk of FGC. Through an open and compassionate dialogue, attendees gained practical tools to approach FGC with empathy and understanding, underscoring the importance of informed conversations in order to foster change.

We are grateful to AshaKiran, our dedicated presenters, and all the participants for coming together to learn about the impact of FGC in the United States. 

This past March, Sahiyo had the honor of supporting Nevin Sutherland in attending the Association for Asian Studies 2024 Annual Conference. This annual conference focuses on facilitating conversations about and around Asian cultures. Nevin, a current PhD student at Delhi University, sought to highlight the issue of female genital cutting (FGC) in the hopes of sparking a larger discussion about how the practice is ongoing in many parts of Asia.

“As the daughter of a single mother and a PhD student, there's no way I would have been able to attend the conference and put together the panel without Sahiyo’s help,” Nevin said. “They gave me connections to the other panelists, and they also gave me a travel scholarship. This support allowed me to attend my first international conference and gave me more confidence in the work that I am doing.” 

With Sahiyo’s support, Nevin assembled a panel of fellow Sahiyo volunteers and contacts to facilitate the discussion: Huda Syyed, Umme Kulsoom Arif, Esther Kenesoi, along with Nevin herself. Their goal was to educate the audience about the complexities and nuances of FGM/C in Asia, discuss how FGM/C in Africa often receives more worldwide attention, and explore the underlying gender and sexual politics that keep the practice alive in so many communities.

“Our panel was under the category of South Asian studies. We were placing FGM in the context of South Asia and comparing it with the practice in Africa. We wanted to look at how even now most of the FGM/C discourse is largely focused within Africa. We compared what the different dynamics are in African and Asian communities and how the practice affects Asian communities differently.”

The panel succeeded in sparking a conversation and engaging with the attendees, who asked a number of questions about FGM/C.

“After the initial panel discussion, the participants began a conversation about other forms of gender-based violence and how sexual politics precipitates GBV,” Nevin said. “We found that we all had something in common; We all had faced different forms of violence against women, especially in the context of human sexuality, in one way or another. We were able to find a degree of understanding in each other, even those who were not survivors were able to see on some level how FGM/C was a harmful violation of a woman’s body.”

That realization, in and of itself, was healing for many. 

“The most fulfilling part of the whole discussion for me was at the end. One of the participants asked if we could have a group hug,” Nevin said. “It had been a pretty intense and emotional conversation, so everyone was feeling a lot. Everyone came together and we had this beautiful big hug, and there were a lot of tears. It was such a healing moment. It reminded me that the work to end the practice is really important, but the healing from it is equally as important.”

Sahiyo is thrilled to have helped Nevin bring this vital information to the Association for Asian Studies 2024 Annual Conference and we hope to continue supporting activists, academics, and all those who are fighting to end FGM/C.