Sahiyo is pleased to announce the release of the new resource, How to Engage Survivors & Communities Impacted by Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting(FGM/C): A Toolkit for Creating Engagement. This toolkit aims to empower individuals and organizations who work to end FGM/C and support survivors through informed, respectful, and culturally sensitive engagement practices.
Developed through a collaborative process, this toolkit is a culmination of real-world insights, proven strategies, and evidence-based methodologies gathered from community-based organizations across the United States. The resources provided will equip advocates with the tools they need to foster dialogues, build trust, and mobilize communities to challenge harmful social norms, ultimately contributing to the prevention of FGM/C and the empowerment of survivors throughout the U.S.
The development of this toolkit reflects the collective expertise of our key stakeholders involved in the project. Their stories and experiences highlight the importance of listening, learning, and creating meaningful change.
“Sahiyo is a powerful force among those seeking to prevent and respond to FGM/C in the United States. This toolkit marks an exciting expansion of Sahiyo’s efforts, by equipping other service providers, advocates, and community leaders with the resources necessary to engage ethically in the fight to eradicate FGM/C. In this toolkit, Sahiyo has compiled guidance and strategies from survivors and other thought leaders, so anyone with an interest in addressing FGM/C has an accessible way to do so.” - Hannah Feeney, RTI International
The toolkit includes:
- Survivor and Community Engagement - An Overview, a discussion of why this resource is important and how it makes a difference.
- Ethical and Cultural Considerations to guide respectful and trauma-informed engagement.
- Strategies for Survivor and Community Engagement, includes real-world case studies and adaptable tools.
- Decision-making in Program and Event Planning shares ways to adapt various forms of engagement to suit the specific needs and contexts of each community.
Sahiyo Co-Founder Mariya Taher emphasized that the
“Recognition of FGM/C as a form of gender-based violence impacting those living in the U.S. has gained attention and increased awareness over the last few years, yet prevention and support services to address it are few. This vital resource examines how community-based organizations work across the U.S. to respond to this public health concern and offers valuable insights to others seeking to build similar programs and initiatives to address FGM/C.”
As we release the toolkit, Sahiyo invites advocates, service providers, and community leaders to explore how the toolkit can support their work.
For more information or to request a copy of the toolkit, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About Sahiyo: Sahiyo is dedicated to empowering Asian and other communities to end female genital cutting (FGM/C) and create positive social change. By working towards an FGM/C-free world, Sahiyo U.S. aims to recognize and emphasize the values of consent and a child’s/woman’s right over her own body, and to enable a culture in which female sexuality is not feared or suppressed but embraced as normal. We utilize collaborative grassroots campaigns, social mobilization, and storytelling techniques to train communities to build a critical mass of community-based voices against FGM/C and lead the change to end it. We also partner with frontline professionals (e.g. healthcare providers) to create culturally sensitive systems of care for survivors, and partner with government officials to address policy-level change.