Sahiyo Resources
Sahiyo Resources Sahiyo Brochure Learn about Sahiyo’s work Learn More FGC Information Brochure FAQs around Female Genital Cutting or khatna amongst Bohras Learn More Bhaiyo Brochure Learn about Bhaiyo, our male allyship program Learn More RESEARCH Sahiyo Activist Needs Assessment Study Sahiyo partnered with a healthcare market research consultancy to conduct primary market research with activists speaking out against Female Genital Cutting, in an effort to better understand activists’ challenges and hopes for the future. This report summarizes the key findings from our primary research and draws implications for the broader gender violence activist community, but also to underscore the importance of conducting primary research with activists. Learn More Sahiyo’s Exploratory Study Summary A two-pager documenting highlight results from Sahiyo’s online, exploratory study documenting the prevalence of khatna amongst Dawoodi Bohras women on a global level. Learn More Understanding Female Genital Cutting in the Dawoodi Bohra Community: An Exploratory Study The report contains the full results and analysis of a detailed online survey of 385 Dawoodi Bohra women from around the world. This survey was conducted over a period of six months from July 2015 to January 2016. (The original study published in February 2017 needed a few corrections. The version attached here was updated in December 2018.) Learn More REPORTS & TOOLKITS Activists Retreat: Impact Report 2018-2022 The report spans the duration of the Activists Retreat program, from its creation in 2018 through 2022, and covers the retreat designs, outcomes impact, lessons learned, and future recommendations. Learn More U.S Activists Retreat 2023 Report In 2023, Sahiyo hosted two Activists Retreat for those connected to the Bohra community and living in the U.S.: a one-day virtual retreat in May attended by 10 participants and a three-day in-person retreat in Atlanta, GA in September attended by 16 people. Learn More Digital Activism Guide A guide for those who want to engage in creating dialogue against Female Genital Cutting (also known as Female Genital Mutilation) through digital and social media. Learn More Policy Outreach, Education, and Advocacy: Impact Report 2015-2023 The report spans the duration of the Policy Outreach, Education, and Advocacy program, from its creation in 2015 through 2023, and covers the programs outcomes, lessons learned, and future recommendations. Learn More Bhaiyo: Program Impact Report 2021-2022 The report spans the duration of the Bhaiyo program, from its creation in February 2021 through December 2022, and covers the challenges, lessons learned, and future paths for growth. Learn More A Media Workshop on Female Genital Cutting The best Practices for Media Reporting on Female Genital Cutting. Learn More Examining Intersections Between Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting And Social Oppressions: A Mixed Methods Study The second report in the Critical Intersections Research Project; focuses on the results of a mixed-methods survey distributed to over 100 participants. Research findings reinforce themes from our initial report and add new intersections to the conversation. Learn More A resource guide to best practice for sensitive and effective reporting on FGC/M: With special reference to Khatna in the Dawoodi Bohra community This media toolkit was developed to promote sensitive and effective depiction of Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation (FGC/M) with special reference to Khatna in the Dawoodi Bohra community. The toolkit will help the media (or anyone interested in depicting the issue) in avoiding factual errors, sensationalized visuals, judgemental language and unintentional vilification of the community; and to be a stronger and effective partner in furthering an end to Khatna among Bohras. Learn More VIDEOS A Pinch of Skin Documentary 2012 Documentary by Sahiyo co-founder Priya Goswami on the practice of khatna (female circumcision or female genital mutilation) among the Dawoodi Bohra community in India. Language: Hindi, English (With English Subtitles) Deen and Duniya (Religion and the World) a 2004 film by Alisha Bhagat highlights the role of women in the Bohra community. A Small Nick or Cut, they say…. ‘A Small Nick or Cut, they say…’ produced by Love Matters India in 2016 and directed by Priya Goswami features voices of resistance on ‘Khatna’ or Type 1 Female Genital Cutting (FGC) prevalent in the Dawoodi Bohra community of India. 2023 Sahiyo Activists Retreat In September 2023, activists, survivors of female genital cutting (FGC), and community members from the Bohra community came from all over the U.S. to gather in-person at Sahiyo’s 6th annual Activists Retreat. This three-day affair, in Atlanta, Georgia, brought together individuals belonging to the Bohra community to deepen relationships with one another, increase knowledge on FGC, and gain tools on how to advocate against FGC. This year, as in the past, the Retreat was filled with presentations, educational videos, group discussions, action planning sessions, and self-care activities. Storytelling with Sahiyo Sahiyo partnered with Women in Film and Television International India in 2018 to organise “Storytelling with Sahiyo”, which featured four critically-acclaimed Indian film actors who performed narrative readings of the personal stories of four Female Genital Cutting survivors. The stories highlighted the different ways in which FGC affects women who are cut and the difficult decisions that mothers often have to make when they are caught between tradition and the desire to protect their daughters. Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A under-recognized form of gender-based violence in the United States This is an educational webinar in which we explored FGM/C in the United States, its connection to the broader anti-gender-based violence movement, and learned about the intervention and community engagement efforts occurring in this country to support survivors and prevent future generations from experiencing it. WEBINARS Critical Intersections: Anti-Racism and Female Genital Cutting (FGC) During this webinar, expert panelists Leyla Hussein, Aarefa Johari, Aissata Camara, and Sunera Sadicali explored how FGC survivors and advocates for change often have to push back against racist narratives in their work and in their journey toward healing, as well as how systemic racism can delay substantial change on this issue. Moving Towards Sexual Pleasure and Emotional Healing After Female Genital Cutting Sahiyo partnered with three award winning and multi-talented speakers Farzana Doctor, Sarian Karim-Kamara, and Joanna Vergoth. Hear from these speakers about the mental and emotional consequences of FGC, how FGC can impact sexuality, and how survivors everywhere are
Survivor Support Resources
If you would like to connect with Sahiyo about your experience undergoing Female Genital Cutting, please feel free to e-mail us at info@sahiyo.org RESOURCES BY CONTINENT: Europe The End FGM European Network is a European umbrella organisation of sixteen organisations across 11 European member states, working to ensure sustainable European action to end female genital mutilation. UNITED KINGDOM – Orchid Project – Orchid Project has a vision of a world free from female genital cutting. UNITED KINGDOM – Dahlia Project – Dahlia’s Project is a support group for women who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM). The project aims to provide a safe space for women and girls to unpack the effects of FGM. North America UNITED STATES: Asian Women’s Shelter Crisis Line for Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Sahiyo has collaborated with Asian Women’s Shelter (AWS) to enable their crisis line to take calls from survivors of FGM/C. The AWS crisis line is open to FGM/C survivors and impacted communities. Number: 1-877-751-0880 | Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9 AM – 5 PM PT / 12 PM – 8 PM ET UNITED STATES – US End FGM/C Network is a collaborative group of survivors, civil society organizations, foundations, activists, policymakers, researchers, healthcare providers, and others committed to promoting the abandonment of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) in the U.S. and around the world. CANADA – End FGM Canada Network is a human rights organization that exists for the purpose of promoting, upholding and enforcing the human rights of girls and women residing in Canada to be protected from the practice of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C), to end FGM/C in Canada and worldwide, and to support the survivors of FGM/C in Canada CHICAGO – forma offers mental health clinical services to women adversely affected by FGM/C, and also provides psychoeducational outreach, advocacy and awareness training to hospitals, social service agencies, universities and the community at large. We also facilitate on-going survivors’ support group that can help educate and challenge the traditional belief systems that perpetuate this practice. MICHIGAN – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) : This page explains the basics of FGC and provides access to resources from law enforcement, child welfare professionals, healthcare and more. VIRGINIA – Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation was founded on the principles of ending violence and injustices against women and girls. The mission of the organization is to empower women and girls through education to eradicate gender-based violence, with special emphasis on female genital mutilation/cutting. NEW YORK – NYC FGM is a multi-sectoral coalition of organizations, individuals, and government agencies committed to ending the Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in New York. They have joined together to create legal, socio-cultural, educational, and medical strategies to raise awareness, to prevent the practice, and to support survivors. WASHINGTON – FGM/C – An educational toolkit for providers and survivors is the product of a unique collaboration between RAHMA, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group, and the Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University. The toolkit provides the latest information on female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) and is an online resource for survivors of FGM/C as well as the health care providers addressing its consequences. Asia Asia Network to End FGM/C – The Asia Network to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a collaborative group of civil society actors working across Asia to end all forms of FGM/C. We do this by connecting, collaborating, and supporting Asian civil society actors and survivors to advocate for an end to all forms of FGM/C in the region. SINGAPORE – AWARE – AWARE works to remove all gender-based barriers so as to allow individuals in Singapore to develop their potential to the fullest and realise their personal visions and hopes. INDIA – We Speak Out – works for equal rights for Bohra women in all spheres of life. Specifically, on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C).
Research Studies on FGC
2024 Behind Closed Doors: Exposing and Addressing Harmful Gender-Based Practices in the United States Over 230 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to female genital mutilation — UNICEF 2021 Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C: Submission to UN General Report on FGM 2020 2020 FGM and Social Norms: A Guide to Designing Culturally Sensitive Community Programmes Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Call For A Global Response Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Call For A Global Response Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C: Submission to UN General Report on FGM 2020 2018 Study finds ‘huge’ fall in FGM rates among African girls The Clitoral Hood – A Contested Site: khafd of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in India 2017 Gender equality and human rights approach to female genital mutilation: a review of international human rights norms and standards FGM: A native affliction on every inhabitable continent How to transform a social norm – Reflection on phase II of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation 2016 FGM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE – RESEARCH – ADVOCACY – POLICIES – ACTION – May 10-11, 2016 – UN Geneva Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: U.S. Assistance to Combat This Harmful Practice Abroad is Limited UNICEF: Most Oppose Female Genital Mutilation Female Genital Cutting in Indonesia: A Field Study State-Of-The-Art Synthesis Report on FGM/C – What Do We Know Now? Root causes and persistent challenges in accelerating the abandonment of FGM/C 2015 New Study from Iran: Female Genital Mutilation Impedes Men’s Well-Being UNFPA – Demographic Perspectives on Female Genital Mutilation 2015 Annual Report of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Metrics of Progress, Moments of Change 2014 Implementation of the International and Regional Human Rights Framework for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation
Sahiyo E-Newsletters
Sahiyo E-Newsletters Don’t want to miss receiving our newsletters? Sign up to be on listserve by clicking here. January 2019 February 2019 March 2019 April 2019 May 2019 June 2019 July 2019 August 2019 September 2019 October 2019 November 2019 December 2019 January 2020 February 2020 March 2020 April 2020 May 2020 June 2020 July 2020 August 2020 September 2020 October 2020 November 2020
More Than A Survivor: An interview with Saleha
