On August 14th 2024, Sahiyo U.S. Advisory Board Member, Kaneez Madraswalla, led a FGC 101 training in collaboration with Womankind in New York City. Womankind is a leading organization dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual violence. They offer multilingual and culturally responsive services to all with a particular focus on Asian communities.
The training served as an important first step in raising awareness about FGC among Womankind’s team. Some attendees shared their personal experiences, whether that involved coming from a culture that practices FGC or knowing someone who has been impacted. This exchange of stories and insights highlighted the importance of the work we’re doing to raise awareness and support survivors.
This introductory session laid the groundwork for Womankind to integrate FGC awareness into their community support efforts. By initiating this dialogue, we are opening the door to further education, support, and advocacy, taking crucial steps to protect and uplift those impacted by FGC.