Exploring Other Forms of Female Genital Alteration
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence and advocating for survivor support and prevention. This campaign seeks to open the conversation by addressing unacknowledged forms of female genital alteration. These harmful practices or procedures, while not always classified as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), share similarities in their negative impact on bodily autonomy, health, and well-being. Through this social media series, Sahiyo aims to amplify awareness within the broader discussions surrounding gender-based violence, consent, and bodily rights. You’ll learn about: The different types of FGM/C and related harmful practices The impact of these procedures on bodily autonomy and health Current U.S. cases that involve medicalization and consent issues Further resources and ways to take action in the movement to end FGM/C Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Threads! Related links: Khatna, Khafz or Female Genital Cutting: An Informational Brochure The forgotten history of female genital cutting in the United States Trauma and Female Genital Cutting: 7-Part Series
Engaging the Next Generation: A Conversation on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
By Katie Bai On Tuesday, February 18th, Sahiyo had the privilege of speaking to students at a Connecticut high school government class at the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering in Stamford, Connecticut (CT). Our presentation focused on the impact of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) on Connecticut communities, the urgent need for state laws, and ways students can actively engage in advocacy. We began our talk by introducing the history of FGM/C in the United States and then discussed the prevalence of the harmful practice in Connecticut. From there, we shared a survivor’s story from Sahiyo’s Voices to End FGM/C digital storytelling project, discussed the 2025 Bill that seeks to protect children from FGM/C, and concluded with ways in which students could get involved in addressing this issue. From the moment we began, it was clear that these students were deeply engaged and interested in what they could do to get a law passed in the state. The students demonstrated a strong grasp of both the policy landscape and the human rights implications of FGM/C. Their curiosity and critical thinking skills were evident as they asked about the legal gap between the federal ban on FGM/C and the state law, understanding that state laws must be comprehensive in protection for survivors and offer opportunities for education and outreach for communities. The students were also able to see the important role that cultural sensitivity plays in advocacy efforts, and they asked additional questions like: “Is there any correlation on the state level between FGM/C and abortion laws?”, “Are Latin American countries experiencing FGM/C or is there simply a lack of data?”, “Why did the CT bill to ban FGM/C die in 2018?” Seeing these young minds so eager to be part of the solution reaffirmed the importance of these conversations and the power of education in mobilization. One of the key takeaways from our discussion with the students was that FGM/C is not just an issue happening “somewhere else.” It is a concern within the state of Connecticut, impacting real people in ways that often go unnoticed. We amplified the importance of closing legal loopholes and ensuring that survivors and at-risk individuals of FGM/C have the protections and support they need at the state level. We hope any legislation in Connecticut will address these components. As presentation facilitators from Sahiyo, we left the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering feeling hopeful and energized by the students. If the students in this class are any indication of the next generation of leaders, the future looks incredibly promising – but only if we all take action to protect it. A huge thank you to the students and their teacher, Claude Morest, for welcoming our team to speak and for their commitment to learning about and addressing this critical human rights issue. At Sahiyo, we strive to continue conversations through education programs and advocacy efforts, building towards a future free from FGM/C. If you would like to support us, consider donating to support our work. Let’s keep the conversation going and work together toward a future free from FGM/C! Join us in safeguarding girls from FGM/C in Connecticut! Connecticut residents, sign our Call to Action.
Intern Spotlight: Katie Bai
Every month, Sahiyo likes to highlight the incredible work of our staff members, fellows, and interns. Today, we’re spotlighting Sahiyo’s current Policy Intern, Katie Bai. Katie is a student at the University of Missouri and will attend Texas A&M University School of Law this fall. She aspires to pursue a career in immigration, human rights, or civil rights law. How did you hear about Sahiyo and what made you want to get involved? I heard about Sahiyo through an internship position post online. I’d not heard of the organization but the position looked fascinating and seemed to align with work I wanted to do after I graduated. When I went to the website and learned about the prevalence of FGM/C in the United States, I was shocked. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a part of the solution. Did you know about FGC before joining Sahiyo? If yes, where did you hear about it? If not, what surprised you about FGC? I didn’t know anything about FGM/C before I joined Sahiyo. As I was in the interviewing process, I decided to research the topic more and write a paper about FGM/C for a human rights class I was taking. The justifications for the practice surprised me, but the prevalence of the practice in the United States shocked me. I had no idea that this practice was occurring at home. Which internship are you a part of at Sahiyo and what have you worked on so far? I am a Policy Intern! I have worked on outreach, social media posts, and a high school presentation for the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C. In my short time at Sahiyo, I’ve also edited testimony for a committee hearing, written blogs about the history of FGM/C in states without FGM/C bans, and facilitated meetings between The DMV Area Coalition to End FGM/C and potential new members. What’s something you hope to do/work on while interning at Sahiyo? I’d like to plan a webinar for the DMV Area Coalition to End FGM/C to help spread the word about this new organization I’ve become invested in. Ideally, I hope to witness Bill 1438 (a bill that solely criminalizes the practice of FGM/C, which is projected to become law in May) include the Connecticut Coalition’s original language to ensure that survivors can pursue civil remedies and educational resources are integrated into communities to prevent the harmful practice. If that doesn’t happen, I would love to work on drafting a new bill that includes these provisions. As you begin your internship, are there ways in which Sahiyo has already impacted your life? Sahiyo has helped me recognize the tireless work from nonprofits, legislators, activists, volunteers, and community members that legislative change requires. When speaking with anyone involved in our organization, it’s evident that this work is an uphill battle — bill language gets rewritten, funds get revoked, and attitudes about violence towards girls and women gets deprioritized under huge legislative changes. This experience has taught me that no one can end such monumental tasks alone, but when people come together to address an issue, there is no end to what can be accomplished. What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? To others looking to get involved in Sahiyo, I will relay something my mom used to tell me: “above all, be the heroine in your life, not the victim.” The bravery and tenacity of Sahiyo’s survivor-informed leadership cannot be understated, and to anyone thinking about getting involved, don’t hesitate. There are nearly half a million girls at risk of this procedure and we cannot protect them without the support of one another.