On January 20th at 4:30 IST, Sahiyo will host a webinar titled ‘How to Stop The Rising Trend of Medicalisation of Female Genital Cutting in Asia,’ which will feature a panel discussion with medical experts and gender rights activists who specialise in sexual and reproductive health. The medicalisation of female genital cutting (FGC) is an increasing issue in a number of Asian countries; a stark lack of legislation concerning the practice has contributed to a medical normalisation of FGC. Our panelists will explore medical perspectives about medicalisation and the current ethical debate surrounding this phenomenon, and touch upon the safety concerns and question of consent that underpins much of the controversy. We will be joined by Sahiyo co-founder Insia Dariwala, as well as Saza Faradilla, Ibu Atas, Ajali Nayyar, Dr. Kalpana Swaminathan, and Dr. Nozer Sheriar.
If you’re interested in joining our webinar, please see more information and sign up here.
About our Speakers:
Saza Faradilla:
Saza is a co-founder of End Female Genital Cutting Singapore (End FGC SG) whose vision is a Singapore where FGC is obsolete. Some of their activities include organising panels on the social, religious and medical aspects of FGC, support sessions for survivors of FGC, and lobbying political, religious and community leaders to release public statements on FGC. Slowly, but surely, they have managed to broaden the conversation on FGC to include discussions on bodily autonomy, child rights, and consent.
Ajali Nayyar:
Anjali Nayyar has more than 20 years of experience in global health issues. Her expertise lies in developing integrated strategies to impact health policy and practice in the Global South. She oversees the organization’s programs in emerging markets in Asia and Africa, working through four offices and a network of independent consultants. Prior to joining GHS, she served as Country Director for the Program for Appropriate Technology on Health (PATH) in India. Preceding PATH, she worked with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) for six years, where she served initially as India Country Director and then as Vice President for Country and Regional Programs in New York. As Vice President, she led field operations and non-research programs in India, Brazil, South Africa, China, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. She is a member of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) National Committee on Public Health, the Expert Group on Tuberculosis set up by a Forum called Global Coalition Against TB, and the Advisory Group Uniting to End Neglected Tropical Diseases, a WHO mandated organization.
Dr. Kalpana Swaminathan:
Dr. Kalpana Swaminathan is a Paediatric surgeon and women’s rights activist. She has worked with traumatized children and is concerned with a child's rights over their body. She also writes along with Ishrat Syed as ‘Kalpish Ratna’, exploring the interface between science and the humanities, and has released a number of books.They are presently working on a history of misogyny.
Ibu Atas/Atashendartini Habsjah:
Atashendartini Habsjah, affectionately and respectfully known as Ibu Atas, is an inspiring women’s rights activist and independent researcher in sexual and reproductive health and rights. She has been working to end FGM/C in Indonesia since 1994, when, as a lecturer of Women’s Studies at the University of Indonesia, she supported country-level work that influenced the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. She began collecting data in the mid-90’s with the authorization of the Indonesia Population Council, starting with West Sumatra and West Java. For the last 10 years, she has been working closely with the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Ministry of Health to stop FGM/C in Indonesia, and in particular, the high medicalization of the practice, in close collaboration mid-wives, nurses, and gynecologists. She hopes that FGM will disappear in Indonesia during this generation and before 2030.
Dr. Nozer Sheriar:
Dr. Nozer Sheriar is an obstetrician and gynecologist with a longstanding commitment to advocacy for and the promotion of women's rights and access to safe abortion. He practices at the Breach Candy, Hinduja Healthcare Surgical and Holy Family hospitals in Mumbai. He currently is a member of the Governing Boards of Ipas, the Guttmacher Institute and Centre for Catalysing Change, as well as the Co-Chair of the Medical Advisory Panel, FPA India. He also serves as a member of the Technical Advisory Group on Maternal and Child Health and the Technical Sub Committee for Sexual Reproductive Health of the South East Asia Region of the WHO. As Past Chairperson of the MTP Committee, FOGSI and member of the Technical Advisory Panel, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Nozer participated in the amendment of the MTP Act, the development of the national comprehensive abortion care guidelines, and conducted multicentric research. In acknowledgement of his dedication to and support of women’s healthcare he has been awarded the FRCOG Honoris Causa by the RCOG.