Uniting to End FGM/C Across the Americas: A Joint Statement
This February 6th – International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, in recognition of this year’s theme – “Stepping Up the Pace. Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM,” we are delighted to announce the formation of the Americas Alliance to End FGM/C. The Americas Alliance will serve as a coalition of organizations, governments, researchers, activists, and survivor advocacy groups, dedicated to ending female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) across the Americas. Recognizing FGM/C as a severe violation of human rights and a form of gender-based violence (GBV), the Alliance aims to unify efforts to support survivors, enhance prevention strategies, and promote gender equality throughout the region. FGM/C impacts communities worldwide, including across North and South America, though misconceptions lead to falsely believing the Americas are immune from this form of gender-based violence. The latest data shows us that there may be over 700,000 women and girls across the United States and Canada affected by or at risk of FGM/C. FGM/C also continues to be reported in Colombia, where a bill has recently been introduced to combat the harmful practice. There is also historical evidence of FGM/C being practiced in Mexico, Brazil and Peru which requires further investigation to determine current practice. From survivors living with its physical and psychological consequences to girls at risk, FGM/C transcends borders and cultures, demanding a unified, coordinated, and survivor-centered response.1 Recognizing this need, we are proud to support the creation of the Americas Alliance —a collaborative network dedicated to addressing FGM/C through cross-border cooperation, shared knowledge and resources, and survivor-informed approaches. By bringing diverse voices and expertise together, the Americas Alliance aims to build capacity, amplify advocacy, and create lasting change. Participants: The founding organizations of the Americas Alliance include The U.S. End FGM/C Network, the End FGM Canada Network, George Washington University, Equality Now, and Sahiyo U.S. The Americas Alliance will also involve additional diverse groups of stakeholders dedicated to ending FGM/C and supporting survivors across the Americas. The partners whom the Alliance will collaborate and engage with will include: Service-providing organizationsExamples: Grassroots NGOs, community health organizations, and social service providers working directly with FGM/C survivors. Government representativesExamples: Government and intergovernmental development agencies and departments. ResearchersExamples: Academic institutions, public health researchers, gender studies scholars, and independent experts focused on FGM/C. ActivistsExamples: Survivor-led advocacy groups, grassroots organizers, human rights defenders, and gender justice advocates. And moreExamples: International organizations, private sector partners, legal advocates, faith-based organizations. Our Shared Commitment As participants of the Americas Alliance, we are dedicated to: Enhance data collection and knowledge sharing by establishing a robust framework for collecting and sharing data across countries, improving the accuracy of FGM/C prevalence estimates, and understanding its impact throughout the Americas. Develop trauma-informed, culturally sensitive support systems by facilitating the creation of transnational support networks that are responsive to the cultural and holistic health needs of survivors. Strengthen prevention strategies and policy frameworks by promoting the exchange of best practices and successful prevention models from diverse contexts within the Americas. Coordinate consistent, survivor-centered communications by ensuring that messaging and communications around FGM/C align across the region, maintaining accuracy, and respect for the lived experiences of survivors. If you wish to learn more about the Americas Alliance to End FGM/C, please contact us at americasalliance@endfgmnetwork.org. 1 Efforts are aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 17 (Global Partnerships).
Legislative Briefing on FGM/C in the State of Connecticut: A Collaboration between the Connecticut Coalition
On January 13th, the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C hosted a legislative briefing at the Legislative Building in Hartford, CT. The briefing was held in partnership with Sahiyo, Equality Now, and the U.S. Network to End FGM/C. The briefing provided an opportunity to learn more about the topic of FGM/C and the need to pass a law protecting children from it. Speakers included: Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz Mariya Taher Representative Jillian Gilchrest Siminesh Comollo The speakers discussed the importance of increased awareness of FGM/C as an issue local to the state of Connecticut, and the need for a specific state law against FGM/C. The briefing was intentionally held at the start of Connecticut’s next legislative session in order to introduce and pass a comprehensive bill protecting children from FGM/C and to create resources to support survivors. The Lieutenant Governor and Connecticut Representatives highlighted that pressure and advocacy by local, national, and international actors would help to make passing legislation possible. (Mariya Taher, Sahiyo U.S. Executive Director, and Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz)
“The Beginning” screened at a special Thaal Pe Charcha event in Mumbai
By Aarefa Johari On October 26, 2024, Sahiyo hosted a Thaal Pe Charcha, or TPC, event in Mumbai. TPC is Sahiyo’s flagship program initiated by the Sahiyo team in India, bringing small groups of community members together in safe spaces to have conversations about female genital cutting (FGC) while bonding over a traditional Bohra “thaal” meal. Since 2017, Sahiyo has organized 13 TPC events in Mumbai and Pune in India and two in the United States, reaching nearly 100 participants. Our October event was special for many reasons. First, it was an in-person TPC event that we were able to host after nearly a two-year break. We had 12 participants from across Mumbai from different backgrounds and professions, with some in their early 20s and others as old as 80. A few were attending TPC for the first time and shared poignant stories about their experiences with FGC. Second, this TPC was organized in partnership with our friends at Equality Now, who not only supported the event itself but also produced “The Beginning.” A short fiction film on FGC written and directed by Sahiyo co-founder Insia Dariwala, “The Beginning” is about the trauma and dilemma of a Bohra mother whose daughter is set to undergo FGC. During October’s TPC, we watched the film together, and it evoked a range of emotions from participants. A survivor of FGC said she could strongly identify with the story of the protagonist, while a male participant found himself relating to the pressures placed on the protagonist’s husband. Others discussed the many ways in which the film highlighted the nuances of community dynamics that make it difficult to take a stand against FGC. At the end of the TPC event, young participants in particular said that the film encouraged them to have conversations about ending FGC with more community members. This feedback, for us, was the most fulfilling takeaway from the event.
Upcoming Event: “Impactful Media Reporting on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in the United States: A Conversation”
Date: April 17, 2024 Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 pm EST Registration: https://bit.ly/FGMCMediaReporting Join Equality Now and Sahiyo U.S. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 3:00 PM EST, for a discussion that will explore the intricacies of reporting on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). This invitation extends to all media professionals — reporters, journalists, editors, and communication and content creators — who are looking to deepen their understanding and refine their approach to covering FGM/C. This event is particularly timely, given the current landscape where misinformation about FGM/C often leads to narratives that are uninformed, conflated, or misrepresented The Need for Nuanced Reporting: FGM/C is recognized as a human rights violation and poses unique reporting challenges. It is essential for media coverage to navigate these complexities with care in order to avoid inadvertently causing harm while staying true to the lived experiences of those impacted by FGM/C. This webinar seeks to address the topic by equipping attendees with the skills to report on FGM/C in a manner that is both sensitive and accurate. Who Will Be Speaking? The event will feature a panel of media and advocacy experts, including Senator Karen Kaiser, Emma Batha of Thomson Reuters Foundation News, journalist Milena Mikael Debass, and documentary filmmaker Milena Warns from Without Exception Films. The moderators of this event are Sahiyo Co-founder and U.S. executive director, Mariya Taher, and Equality Now Communications officer for North America, Mel Bailey. Attendees will gain insights on: The prevalence and complexity of FGM/C within diverse cultural contexts in the U.S. The importance of engaging with survivors or those at risk with informed sensitivity. Strategies for using media platforms to raise awareness and educate the public on FGM/C. Analytical tools for covering related news, such as legal developments and community advocacy efforts effectively. Why Attend? This webinar represents an opportunity for media professionals to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on FGM/C. Through informed reporting, the media can play a pivotal role in supporting survivors and educating the public. This event is not just about reporting on a sensitive topic; it’s about doing so in a way that respects the dignity of those impacted and contributes to positive change. If you’re involved in media or interested in how media and communications can influence social issues thoughtfully, this event is for you. It’s an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and consider the best practices for reporting on cultural practices that can lead to harm, such as FGM/C. Register for the event here
Equality Now releases the trailer of Asia’s first fiction film on FGM/C, directed by Sahiyo co-founder, Insia Dariwala
On International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Equality Now — an NGO that advocates for the rights and protection of women and girls around the world — released the trailer for “The Beginning.” Written and directed by Sahiyo’s co-founder Insia Dariwala, it’s the Asian continent’s first ever fiction film on Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting (FGM/C). Inspired by real survivors who underwent FGM/C as little girls, the film highlights the trauma many struggled with, long after the cut. Equality Now’s Global Leader, Divya Srinivasan, who worked with Insia on producing the film said, “We believe that this thought-provoking piece evocatively demonstrates the struggles faced by a woman holding the dual experiences of being a survivor herself, while also being a mother who is expected to play a major role in continuing the practice with future generations.” She also writes, “Since survivors of FGM/C in India broke the silence about this practice over seven years ago, there have been great strides towards prevention and eradication of FGM/C. The issue of FGM/C in India has been recognised in the Supreme Court and at international bodies; and there is greater awareness on the patriarchal nature and harmful effects of the practice within practicing communities, particularly amongst the younger generation. However, we have a long way to go in the struggle to end FGM/C and we need more public conversations to change hearts and minds of all stakeholders, and prevention and response initiatives to ensure that we can move towards the goal of eradication.In partnership with Insia and Sahiyo, we hope that we can use this film to raise awareness on FGM/C in the country, particularly with young people; and to highlight FGM/C as a priority human rights issue that needs to be addressed by a range of stakeholders including the international community, medical associations, and CSOs working on ending gender-based violence in India.”
Upcoming Equality Now media training
On December 13th from 12-2:30 PM (Malaysia time), Sahiyo India is participating in a media training workshop with Equality Now and Kalyanamitra. The workshop’s aim is to sensitize journalists and media practitioners reporting on the prevalence of FGM/C in Asia in an effective way. The practice of FGM/C has been recorded in Asian countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Maldives, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Sri Lanka, and India. Though widespread, the practice of FGM/C that occurs in Asia continues to receive little acknowledgement, and so does Asia as a region affected by the practice. This dissonance continues to be found in official statistics as well. For example, according to UNICEF, at least 200 million girls and women alive today and in 31 countries have undergone FGM/C. However, this does not represent the accurate picture as it is based only on data from nationally representative surveys. FGM/C is actually known to take place in at least 92 countries worldwide. (Orchid Project) This combined workshop and discussion event will present an overview of fundamental details about FGM/C in Asia. The discussion module will significantly help participants to better understand what constitutes ‘good’ or ‘bad’ FGM/C media coverage, how to ideate better and pitch more effective FGM/C-related pieces, and how to interact with and represent FGM/C survivors in Asia sensitively. Sahiyo India will be represented by Priya Goswami, a co-founder of Sahiyo as well as a co-founder and CEO of the Mumkin App, which aims to use technology to help survivors of gender-based violence. Priya is also the recipient of a National Film Award for her documentary ‘A Pinch of Skin,’ the first documentary from India to speak about the practice of FGM/C. Through the lens of a filmmaker and a communication designer, she will discuss safe and survivor-centric practices for depicting FGM/C. Please email us to receive the registration link for the session at info@sahiyo.org or to Shruti Sharada at Equality Now at ssharada@equalitynow.org.