By: Rachel Wine
This month, Sahiyo led two trainings to expand the impact of the findings of our Critical Intersections Research Project within the greater gender-based violence (GBV) sphere. While FGM/C is widely considered a form of GBV, research has indicated that anti-FGM/C work largely exists in a vacuum, and is not often incorporated into mainstream GBV work. To create change, Sahiyo created training that could introduce the importance of building collaborative relationships based on understanding the intersectionality of our siloed issues.
Our first training, Critical Intersections: Anti-Racism and FGM/C, requested by ICASA, took place on January 14. Research findings indicated a need to better understand the racialization of FGM/C and associated discrimination to create stronger systems of care for individuals impacted by FGM/C within the U.S. To address these gaps, we uplifted findings that spoke to how FGM/C is impacted by race and racism in both its continuation in generation after generation and when it comes to advocates working to address FGM/C within the field. We also discussed recommendations from our research that can support organizations to adapt and incorporate anti-racist approaches when it comes to addressing FGM/C.
The second training, Addressing Intersectionality: Fostering Collaboration in FGM/C and GBV Work, requested by AshaKiran was held on January 16. The presentation focused on identifying how and in what ways FGM/C is showing up in the U.S. and how populations are impacted by it, and illustrated findings that spoke to the need to build capacity for collaboration on FGM/C work within various GBV organizations. The training also shared existing models where intersectional collaborations have proven successful when it comes to addressing the larger topic of what perpetuates gender-based violence (regardless of whether we are speaking about FGM/C, domestic violence, sexual assault, and so forth).
If your organization is interested in hosting a Critical Intersections Technical Training, please email Sahiyo’s Research Coordinator This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..