Recently, policy interns at Sahiyo have been interviewing members of the Connecticut (CT) Coalition to End FGM/C to learn more about its members and all the important work they contribute toward ending female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). For the first two blogs, we  interviewed Caitlin LeMay and Joanne Golden. In our third blog, Sahiyo’s policy intern, Juliet Shires, spoke to Zehra Patwa, Sahiyo U.S.’s Advisory Board Chair and co-founder of WeSpeakOut. 

When she was in her 40s, Patwa discovered that FGM/C was taking place in the Dawoodi Bohra community she belongs to.

“I was shown an interview that my cousin had done for a TV documentary in Australia, talking about her experience of FGM/C in the Bohra community [...] I thought ‘Oh, that’s terrible that she had to go through this.' And at the end of the interview, she said that all the girls in her community had been cut and I could not even fathom that. The women [in my community] have always been highly intelligent, and progressive role models…so to hear that women in the community were doing this practice on young girls just blew me away. It took me a while to even accept that it was happening.” 

Then came another shock: Patwa learned that she had undergone FGM/C when she was just seven years old, but had no recollection of the event. She decided that she needed to do something to end the practice of FGM/C in her community and beyond. Her cousin invited her to join a WhatsApp group chat where she met the Sahiyo co-founders and Masooma Ranalvi, who would later co-found WeSpeakOut with Patwa. 

“I had to do something with this anger, with this shock, with all of these things I was feeling, and this lack of clarity that I had of what happened to me…I could not bear the thought that this was still happening to other girls. Part of the awfulness of this practice, for me, is that you don’t even give girls and women a chance, by cutting them…you risk so much pain, so much trauma.”

A large part of her advocacy relates to her work with her own organization, WeSpeakOut, a partner of the CT Coalition and Sahiyo. WeSpeakOut is primarily focused on making FGM/C illegal in India, though it also works on other issues that impact women in the Bohra community. Their work involves research studies, petitions, and creating a legal framework for legislation banning the practice:

“Because India is the seat of the Bohra community — that’s where the religious head is based — we figured if [FGM/C] was made illegal in India, then the Bohra diaspora all over the world would agree that the practice is illegal and would discontinue it. Sadly, passing a law in India involves many hurdles but we are seeing glimmers of social change in the community just by talking about this issue.”

Patwa explains that speaking out has led to many conversations, many of which have highlighted how important education is in making meaningful changes against FGC: 

“When I started my activism in 2015, and started speaking out publicly in 2016 —  which was terribly nerve-racking —  so many people said to me, ‘Oh, I had no idea this happened here.’ I think people don’t realize how widespread this practice is. People want to know how many women and girls are cut…well, there’s no way of really knowing for sure, but it’s been estimated that there are more than 2,500 girls at risk in Connecticut alone, but the number is potentially much higher because it is such a clandestine practice. The states surrounding Connecticut have anti-FGM/C laws but Connecticut doesn’t, which makes our state a destination for cutting. [People I talk to often express surprise that] it’s a cultural practice, not a religious one.”

She also emphasized the importance of empathy and understanding when creating legislation and advocating against the practice:

“The parents who take their girls to be cut are not monsters…they’re being pressured into doing it because they’re told it’s the right thing to do by the trusted elders in their community. With education and the support of the law, parents can make an informed decision, backed by facts and others’ experiences, to protect their daughters.”

Patwa expressed disappointment that a law has still not been passed in Connecticut, but remains hopeful:

“It’s been disappointing that our bill has not made it into session three years in a row…it was a little disheartening at first but we are determined to continue working to pass this law because, even though we may not have huge numbers of girls at risk, we have some. And as far as I’m concerned, one girl cut is one too many. I know how much Connecticut cares about people and tries to do the right thing. I know in my heart that this law will be passed because it’s absolutely the right thing to do.”

For people who would like to get involved in FGM/C activism, Patwa’s advice is simple:

“Educate yourself, talk to people, reach out to people. Anybody at the Connecticut Coalition and at Sahiyo is very willing to help… And any organization that wants to become part of the coalition is welcome to lend their support: the more broad the coalition, the more helpful it will be to pass this law.”

Patwa’s own experience with the Connecticut Coalition and the support it has received has strengthened her belief that FGM/C can end.

“I truly appreciate all the allies who work to help survivors and prevent this practice. The Connecticut Coalition is now huge — there are many organizations involved. It’s heartening to have so many allies, who may not be from FGC-practicing communities, but who understand that there are so many different ways that they can help. It makes me tear up thinking about how much people care about others with different experiences from themselves. It gives me hope that we will see the end of this practice in my lifetime.”

We would like to thank Zehra Patwa for taking the time to sit down with our policy intern and for her continued work with the CT Coalition.

Want to get involved? 

• Visit: https://endfgmcinct.com/, for more information or contact the CT Coalition
• Visit: https://www.wespeakout.org/ 
• Volunteer with Sahiyo
• Sign the petition to end FGM/C in CT

In September 2024, Sahiyo U.S. had the privilege of attending an event in Honolulu, Hawaii, hosted by the National Organization of Asians and Pacific Islanders Ending Sexual Violence (NAPIESV) for grantees who had received funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to create culturally specific programming to address sexual assault in AAPINH (Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian) communities. 

The three-day event was significant for Sahiyo, allowing the U.S. team to reflect on its Activists Retreat program, which – thanks to this funding – has now trained over 100 activists to date. During the event, the team reflected on and shared key milestones, including hiring Community Engagement Coordinator Samman Masud, hosting its first in-person Activists Retreat since the Covid-19 pandemic, and launching its first-ever retreat to include individuals from Asian, Pacific Islander, and Southwest Asian/North African (API-SWANA) regions and communities in 2024. (To hear more about attendees' experience at past retreats, click here). 

Connecting with fellow organizations, each with their own story and approach, offered new perspectives and insights into how Sahiyo U.S. can better support AAPINH survivors and continue to foster meaningful change. Sahiyo U.S. is looking forward to planning our third annual Activists Retreat under this grant in February of 2025. (If you’re interested in attending, click here). 

A heartfelt thank you to the local organizations, Olohana Foundation and Hawaii CASA for welcoming everyone so warmly, sharing invaluable insights, and highlighting the unique issues impacting communities in Hawaii. 

To learn more about our Activist Retreat program, watch the video below!

On October 11, Sahiyo in partnership with Equality Now, The U.S. End FGM/C Network, and the Greater Los Angeles FGM Taskforce held a joint webinar titled, "Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in California - Past, Present, and Future." The event was moderated by Sahiyo U.S. Executive Director, Mariya Taher and Shivagi Misra of Equality Now. 

The event brought together a panel of survivors, advocates, service providers, and community members who are already working on ending FGM/C in the state: Dr. Nina Smart and Athia Carrim of the Greater LA FGM Task Force, as well as Orchid Pusey of the San Francisco Asian Women's Shelter.

The speakers shared their histories of working in California, and in some cases globally, to raise awareness about the prevalence of FGC in the state. The conversation then turned to how the state could support advocates' work by strengthening the current California FGC law, passed in 1996, to include components such as community education, cultural competence in care for survivors, and productive interactions with community members from practicing communities. As Shivangi Misra said during the event, “We can use the law for support, outreach, and healthcare.” 

The panel also highlighted the intersections of identities that survivors of FGC (for example, recognizing that an FGM/C survivor can also identify as gender-queer). This helps us recognize the need to push for a holistic approach to address survivors of FGM/C.

The audience was very engaged, with many participants expressing their eagerness to dive deeper into the topic and sharing their personal experiences working with the issue in the state. We encourage you to watch the full webinar to hear more about the experiences of survivors and advocates, as well as learn what needs to be done while pushing for an updated law in California.

On October 5th, 2024, Sahiyo U.S. Executive Director Mariya Taher received the 2024 Champion of Change Award, during the annual Asian Women’s Shelter’s (AWS) gala, “Hope and Action: Celebrating 36 Years of The Asian Women's Shelter” in San Francisco. This award is given to individuals working to end gender-based violence in their communities and in the world. 

As the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Sahiyo U.S., Mariya has played a key role in the movement to end FGC. Her work with state coalitions has influenced legislation, culminating in anti-FGC laws passed across the U.S., including in Massachusetts and Washington. She has brought the issue to the forefront of public discourse, raising awareness of FGC in the U.S. and abroad through outreach, training, and educational programs. 

"Receiving this recognition from the Asian Women's Shelter at their annual gala is a huge deal for me. I was a volunteer with AWS after I graduated from my Master of Social Work program at San Francisco State University in 2010.” Mariya said, “Over the years, both my life and my work have kept me in touch with their organization in many ways. For the past 3 years, I’ve been working with AWS and Amy Hill, at Silence Speaks, to bolster our Voices to End FGM/C digital storytelling project in culturally specific ways, which has been such a gift. Who knew that years after volunteering with them we'd still be working together and building up the capacity of care for survivors of FGM/C in the U.S."

The Voices to End FGM/C program has been transformational, bringing survivors together in a safe space to tell their stories, heal, and connect. The only way we can create effective change is by having survivors at the table telling us what they need and how they want to see this practice end. Mariya’s work has done all of this and so much more, and all of us here at Sahiyo are thrilled to see her receive this remarkable award.

By Samman Masud

This year, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Annual Walk to End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), held in Washington, D.C. on September 28th, 2024. The sense of community prior to the walk was palpable when I arrived at the amphitheater nestled across from the Washington Monument. I got a chance to meet many activists, survivors, advocates, and others that I work with in a virtual space, but haven’t met in person. Some participants traveled all the way from Seattle and California to walk with other community members, while others joined from the DC metro area and surrounding states. 

In it’s eleventh year, the Walk to End FGM welcomed participants from all walks of life. Men, women, the elderly, and even children joined their parents in uniting against a practice that affects millions of women and girls worldwide. The event piqued people’s curiosity, and many passersby stopped to ask questions about FGM/C and took interest in learning more about the prevalence of the practice in the U.S. and other parts of the world.

Angela Peabody, Executive Director and cofounder of the Global Women Peace Foundation, welcomed all the participants to the event. It kicked off  with the Global Woman Peace Awards ceremony, which honored activists and survivors who have made impactful contributions toward ending FGM/C. A beautiful musical performance, recognitions, and speeches followed the ceremony.

I was honored to accept the Lisa C. Bruch Woman of the Year award on behalf of Amy Hill, who was being recognized for her service to survivors of FGM/C through the Voices to End FGM/C storytelling project, which she co-founded with Sahiyo’s Executive Director, Mariya Taher. I had the opportunity to work with Amy at a recent workshop in Washington D.C. in June 2024, so it was my great pleasure to receive the award and share remarks on her behalf since Amy was unable to attend the ceremony. 

“What started as a single digital storytelling workshop that we led together has become Voices to End FGM/C. To date, Voices has supported more than 75 survivors and advocates in connecting through the power of story and combining words and images into short videos that spotlight deeply personal and uniquely individual moments from their lives,” Amy said.

The ceremony continued, with awards given to other activists, survivors, educators and ambassadors who discussed their commitment to advocate against FGM/C. It was especially heartwarming when some of the survivors and advocates proudly brought their young children with them on stage to accept the awards. I loved listening to these stories and seeing the pride they had in their work and achievements as FGM/C advocates. 

After the awards ceremony, we walked around the Washington Monument, chanting “No More FGM,” getting bystanders to join in on our calls for an end to this practice. The walk may have ended, but our work is far from over. I hope we can continue to mobilize communities throughout the U.S. and the international arena to highlight the urgency of ending FGM/C and push for policies that protect the rights and well-being of all women and girls.

We are excited to announce an upcoming webinar that promises to be both enlightening and empowering: Youth Advocates Against Female Genital Cutting - A Conversation on Change. You, too, can join us for this important discussion.

Date: November 4, 2024

Time: 12:30 pm ET / 9:30 pm PT

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

Why This Webinar Matters

This webinar recognizes the vital role of youth advocacy in addressing the practice of female genital cutting (FGC). Recent articles and studies have highlighted the significant impact of youth advocacy in working to end FGC. For instance, an article by Orchid Project reflects on International Youth Day and emphasizes how young advocates have pioneered innovative strategies to raise the awareness of FGC and enhance their advocacy skills. Similarly, organizations like Equality Now exemplify the transformative power of youth-led initiatives, emphasizing the commitment of young advocates to further challenge societal norms and promote an inclusive dialogue on critical issues.

Despite efforts to end the practice, FGC still persists as a serious issue affecting millions of people worldwide. Engaging with youth advocates is crucial as they bring fresh perspectives and unwavering passion to challenge norms and drive change for the future.

Our Motivation

The decision to focus this webinar on youth-led efforts stems from a recognition that young voices are often underrepresented in discussions about FGC. We see this as a missed opportunity. Youth advocates bring a unique energy and perspective that are essential to challenging long-standing norms and practices, and their involvement can drive innovation and lasting change

Here’s why we are particularly focused on supporting youth in the work to prevent FGC:

1. Youth as Catalysts for Change: Young people possess a powerful mix of passion, creativity, and determination. They have the potential to challenge outdated practices and create meaningful change. By providing them with the opportunity to share their voices, we can channel their energy into addressing FGC more effectively.
2. Education and Empowerment: Knowledge and confidence are the cornerstones of effective advocacy. This webinar aims to empower young activists by offering insights from experienced advocates who have a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the movement to end FGC.

Event Highlights

During this dynamic panel discussion, you will hear from youth advocates who are making a difference in their communities and beyond. They will share their journeys, innovative strategies, and the challenges they have encountered in their advocacy efforts. The session will also include interactive discussions that promote diverse perspectives and collaborative problem-solving.

Why You Should Attend

This webinar is more than just a conversation—it’s a call to action. By participating, you will:

• Empower Youth Advocates: Provide a space for young advocates to share experiences and personal strategies for raising awareness and creating change
• Promote Dialogue: Foster empathy, exchange diverse perspectives and generate innovative ideas for advocacy and community engagement, emphasizing the role of youth in advocacy efforts
• Build a Stronger Network: This webinar will offer valuable networking opportunities, connecting participants with like-minded individuals, organizations, and experts dedicated to ending FGC.
• Gain Valuable Insights into Effective Advocacy: You’ll learn from accomplished young activists like Hunter Kessous, Nur Bookwala, Saza Faradilla, Atiqah Suhaimi, and Umme Kulsoom- Arif.

Register Now

Don’t miss this chance to be part of a transformative dialogue and support the global movement against FGC. Click here to register and secure your spot in this essential discussion.