Sahiyo is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of our 2023 Voices to End FGM/C workshop! This collaborative endeavor, orchestrated by the dedicated teams at Sahiyo U.S., StoryCenter, and the Asian Women's Shelter, brought together nine extraordinary women from diverse cultures and backgrounds on an inspiring journey of storytelling.
The workshop began with two virtual sessions, fostering a profound sense of community and connection as participants joined online from all across the United States. During the second session, participants shared personal narratives around their experience with FGM/C, whether as survivors, advocates, and/or activists, within a supportive story circle. This laid the foundation for the powerful stories that would follow.
For the in-person segment, participants met in Berkeley, California to immerse themselves in an enriching, hands-on experience. Over the course of two days, participants learned about the art and different elements of creating a digital story. They worked collaboratively, capturing and combining their voices with moving imagery, and creating videos that beautifully encapsulates the essence of their narratives.
In the coming months, these inspiring videos will be finalized and prepared for public debut, becoming powerful tools to further amplify the voices of these women and their advocacy to end FGM/C.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated and supported this workshop, and we eagerly anticipate the impact of these stories as they contribute to the ongoing dialogue and change surrounding this critical issue.