Join Us at Sahiyos Activists Retreat
Sahiyo U.S. will host its eighth annual Activists Retreat virtually via Zoom from July 26th – July 28th, 2024. Sahiyo’s Activist Retreats bring anti-FGC activists together in a safe space to female genital cutting and work together to end the practice. Survivors, activists, and anybody interested in learning more about FGC and ending it are welcome to apply! Please submit the Activists Retreat 2024 Interest Form by Saturday, June 1st, 2024 if you’re interested. More about the retreat: When: Friday, July 26 – 5 to 6:30 pm PST/ 8 to 9:30 pm EST (1.5 hrs) via Zoom Saturday, July 27 – 8 am to 1:00 pm PST/ 11 am to 4:00 pm EST (5 hrs) via Zoom Sunday, July 28 – 8 am to 10:30 am PST/ 11 am to 1:30 pm EST (2.5 hrs) via Zoom Who: The workshop is open to anyone residing in North America. Survivors of FGC, advocates working to end the practice, and the general public interested in learning more about anti-FGC work can attend. Previously relegated to South Asian populations only, this year the workshop will include members from Asian Pacific Islander communities as well as other groups. What: The three-day retreat will include educational sessions, anti-FGC advocacy workshops, presentations, self-care activities for activists, and discussions about how to more effectively create change. The retreat will aim to achieve the following goals: Create a support system among activists working to empower their community to abandon FGC Develop a safe space for individuals to learn more about the issue of FGC Build everybody’s overall capacity to engage in activism, including sharing knowledge, resources, and networks Watch former activist retreat participant Lubaina Plumber share her story: [youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bsrA1aW-ME”] Following the workshop, Sahiyo will continue to support activists in their anti-FGC efforts as a part of our ongoing education and advocacy work to end FGM/C. If you’re interested in taking part, please fill out Activists Retreat 2024 Interest Form by Saturday, June 1st, 2024. We also invite you to visit our website to read about past retreats and learn more about the program. If you have any questions and would like more information about the retreat, please feel free to reach out to Samman at samman@sahiyo.org.
Sahiyo U.S. Engages Community Stakeholders in Seattle, Washington to Advance Senate Bill 5453 Initiatives
On April 23rd, 2024, Sahiyo U.S., in collaboration with the Washington Department of Health, Mother Africa, and the U.S. End FGM/C Network, convened a significant gathering at Greenriver College, Kent Campus. The event, titled “Prevention & Response: How to Protect Washington’s Children & Support Survivors & Communities Impacted by Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting,” marked a pivotal day in our ongoing efforts to combat FGM/C in Washington State, following the enactment of Senate Bill 5453 in April of 2023. This legislation, which was a critical step in addressing FGM/C, was made possible through the tireless efforts of advocates from the Washington Coalition, as well as legislative champions such as Senator Karen Keiser. Their participation in the event brought invaluable insights and highlighted the collaborative spirit that supported the law’s passage. The day was filled with meaningful discussions, beginning with an overview of FGM/C and its impact in Washington, followed by a deep dive into the legislative framework provided by the WA DOH, setting the stage for community stakeholders, from healthcare, government, nonprofit sectors, and community-based organizations to share their insights for the potential direction of the project. Most importantly, the voices of survivors and community members impacted by FGM/C were at the forefront of this discussion, guiding our conversations and strategies. Read the KUOW article, “Coalition Against FGM Supports Victims in Washington State,” to learn more! We are grateful to all who participated and contributed their knowledge and experiences to this event. If you have any questions and want to learn more about and how to get involved with this project, please email info@wafgmc.org.
Join the FGM/C Prevention and Response in Washington State Advisory Committee
Sahiyo U.S. is pleased to announce that in collaboration with Mother Africa, the U.S. End FGM/C Network, and the Washington State Department of Health, we are seeking dedicated individuals to serve on an Advisory Committee for a Washington state-supported initiative aimed at preventing and responding to female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). This initiative,part of the implementation of Washington state law – SSB 5453, Section 6, aims to enhance statewide efforts to support FGM/C survivors and prevent future cases through strategic planning, community engagement, and education. Apply here! Advisory Committee members will be given a unique opportunity to contribute to a significant public health and human rights effort. Members will play a critical role in shaping effective responses to FGM/C throughout the state. Advisory Committee Members will also participate in specialized subwork committees focused on areas such as community prevention and education, healthcare provider training, government agency response coordination, and/or other topics as agreed upon by the initial Advisory Committee. Advisory Committee Role Description Project Time Frame: April 2024 to June 2025 Location: Washington State (Hybrid – Remote and In-Person Meetings as Required) Time Commitment: 3-5 hours a month Honorarium: $75 per hour The initiative seeks to include perspectives from a wide range of professional backgrounds, personal experiences, and viewpoints, fostering inclusive and responsive strategies. We are interested in engaging those directly impacted by FGM/C, including survivors and individuals from practicing communities and other allies in this work, including related social justice fields such as reproductive health, child protection professionals, LGBTQI+ agencies. We also acknowledge the need for and vital role that faith leaders, men, and other community members play in the work to end FGM/C and invite all these various communities to apply to be a part of the Advisory Committee.. To ensure the effectiveness and diversity of the advisory committee dedicated to the prevention of and response to FGM/C in Washington state, applicants should: Understand the experience of survivors and/or willing to learn and engage with learning more on the topic Be committed to raising awareness about the harmsof FGM/C Value community and collaboration Respect the differences between various cultures If you have questions contact info@wafgmc.org. Apply here! *The Advisory Committee and related project in Washington State is funded by the Washington State Department of Health* If you missed our in-person meeting on April 23rd, join us on Wednesday, May 8th 12:30 to 1:30 pm PST / 3:30 to 4:30 pm EST for a virtual meeting to learn more about how Washington State plans to address the issue of female genital mutilation/cutting following the passage of State Senate Bill 5453- An Act Relative to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in April 2023. Registration link: https://bit.ly/WAFGMCMay8 Or scan the QR code (below) Additionally, to stay engaged and continue learning about FGM/C, join Sahiyo U.S. and the US End FGM/C Network for our upcoming training session on FGM/C on May 23, 2024, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM Pacific Register at: https://bit.ly/May23FGMCTraining Or scan the QR code (below) For more information about the project or any additional questions, please contact info@wafgmc.org.
The Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C Interview Series: Jo Keogh
By Juliet Shires Recently, policy interns at Sahiyo have been interviewing members of the Connecticut (CT) Coalition to End FGM/C to learn more about each individual and to better understand all the important work they contribute towards ending FGM/C. The information below comes from an interview between Sahiyo’s former policy intern, Azalieh Erawoc, and CT Coalition member, Jo Keogh. Jo Keogh, a member of the Advisory Board at Sahiyo, is a founding member of the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C. She is passionate about issues surrounding the practice of FGM/C due to her background as a mental health counselor working with women with post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from gender-based violence. “Trauma is one of the biggest issues we have to deal with personally, societally, globally,” says Keogh, “I feel that it influences a lot of what is going on in the world today…without systemic change, healing on an individual level becomes impossible for a lot of populations.” Keogh got involved with FGM/C advocacy after reading about how a 2017 Michigan case overturned federal law, resulting in states being responsible for criminalizing FGC and conducting educational outreach. Keogh looked for a Connecticut law to protect those at risk of undergoing the procedure, but there were none. This inspired her to search for any bills about the issue in her state. Eventually, she reached out to Mariya Taher and Sahiyo after seeing their success in Massachusetts, and thus, the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C was born. Keogh emphasized the need for better education surrounding FGM/C for meaningful change. “Education is everything,” says Keogh.”In a perfect world, I wouldn’t have a job anymore…I wouldn’t be working with discrimination claims during the day and I wouldn’t be working with traumatized women at night. None of that would be necessary”. Keogh herself admits that at the beginning she didn’t know much about FGM/C, assuming it was a practice that didn’t occur in today’s world, let alone in the United States. “95% of what I know now about FGM/C, I didn’t know at the beginning. I just knew I didn’t want it to happen in my state…like me, the mass majority of people in this country have no idea what’s going on.” Keogh emphasizes the need for better education around FGM/C, explaining that many people ignore issues with an “it doesn’t affect me” attitude. The key is finding a way to educate people in a way that sticks and doesn’t just become a social “cause of the moment” to enact long-lasting change. Furthermore, Keogh recognizes how non-survivors of FGM/C should use their privilege to better educate themselves. She highlights her experiences of “shutting up and observing” when speaking with survivors in order to learn more about how FGM/C has affected others. Keogh has learned we shouldn’t make generalizations when speaking to survivors, and understands that not all women view their experiences as negative (for example, some women who have undergone FGM/C wear their experiences as a badge of honor). Not everyone will agree with the notions you may possess and it is important to remember that when doing this work, any advocacy “always, always, always must be survivor-centered.” Keogh also discussed the importance of mental health for advocates trying to improve laws around FGM/C. “I think sometimes with advocacy there’s this sense to be “on” all the time […] and to keep fighting until it’s done,” she says. “And I think it’s really important to give ourselves permission to tag out for periods of time without feeling guilt or that we’re “not doing enough.” “It’s important to figure out how much of yourself you can give at any point in time and to honor that,” she continues. “And not have guilt around that. If we come into the fight with a quarter of ourselves we’re just going to get knocked out. So, if we have to tag out, it’s ok. We can always come back in. It doesn’t mean we don’t care, it doesn’t mean we’re not passionate, it just means that we’re human”. Keogh encourages anyone who wants to be involved to participate knowing everyone has a unique set of skills to bring to the Coalition: “All of us have a particular constellation of knowledge that nobody else on the planet has. Advocating from that place is, I think, really powerful”. Looking forward, Keogh is optimistic about the future of legislation in Connecticut and the work ahead of the Connecticut Coalition. “What I’m seeing is women legislators, specifically, getting angry… Anger is one of my favorite emotions. I think anger is the emotion that is the closest to love, because we only get angry about what we value, [so if] they’re angry about it, it means they value the issue. They value the idea that women and girls should have protections against being cut in this state. Passivity is the death of an issue.” We would like to thank Jo Keogh for taking the time to sit down with our policy intern and for her continued work with the CT Coalition. To see the other interview spotlights we’ve conducted click here. Want to get involved? Visit https://endfgmcinct.com/ for more information or contact the CT Coalition Volunteer with Sahiyo Sign the petition to end FGM/C in CT
Building Support for the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C After Failure in 2024 Legislative Session
By Juliet Shires In the 2024 legislative session, the Connecticut Judiciary Committee failed to raise a bill that would protect children from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Rep. Jilian Gilchrest (D) would have sponsored the bill to create educational and outreach programs, issue civil remedies for survivors, and make FGM/C a clear criminal offense in the state. This marks the need for renewed efforts to build a stronger coalition to address this issue in legislation. Zehra Patwa, a survivor of FGM/C, U.S Advisory Board member for Sahiyo, and CT resident outlines the disappointment many feel at the negligence of not raising this bill despite widespread support: “I’m extremely disappointed that, despite strong support from both sides of the aisle, the bill to protect girls was not raised this session. Protecting the bodily integrity of girls could not be more important especially as we know, anecdotally, that the practice of FGM/C thrives in secret. This bill would have protected girls from the practice but also would have cared for those who have undergone this practice. Not having this bill pushed through puts girls and women in danger and tells them “You are not important”. That is unacceptable in my opinion.” The Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C was formed in 2020 by individuals who were concerned about Connecticut being only one of nine states without legislation banning the practice of FGM/C. One such Connecticut resident included Jo Keogh, a psychotherapist who worked with organizations such as Sahiyo and the U.S. End FGM/C Network to form the original Coalition: “About 95% of what I know now about FGM/C, I didn’t know at the beginning [of the coalition]. I just knew I didn’t want it to happen in my state,” says Keogh. Furthermore, there was fear that Connecticut could become a “safe haven” for people seeking to perform FGM/C from neighboring states in which FGM/C is illegal. The CT Coalition aims to bring an end to the practice of FGM/C in the state by advocating for a holistic bill that includes educational outreach and input from the community, including those impacted by the FGM/C, such as survivors. One way the Coalition has garnered support for a bill is through a Change.org to ban FGM/C which has received over 80,000 signatures since its start in 2018. The recent failure in the Connecticut legislature has shown the continued need for the Coalition’s continued work. Over 2,600 girls are at risk of undergoing FGM/C in Connecticut, despite it being globally considered a human rights violation. We need to urge the legislature to prioritize the passage of legislation surrounding FGM/C by calling on your representatives in Connecticut to take action in the next legislative session. Want to get involved? Visit https://endfgmcinct.com/ for more information or contact the CT Coalition Volunteer with Sahiyo Sign the petition
Critical Intersections of FGM/C: Law and Policy in Systems of Oppression Presentation
Sahiyo is excited to announce an upcoming event tied to our survivor and advocate-led Critical Intersections Research Project! This original research, which has been in development for over two years, examines the issue of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) through an intersectional lens. This includes an analysis of media on the topic (published in our first report), as well as data from a mixed-methods survey (published in our second report) and in-depth qualitative interviews (to be published later in 2024). The project seeks to understand both challenges that FGM/C survivors and activists face, as well as opportunities for cross-sector collaboration with other social justice movements. Critical Intersections of FGM/C: Law and Policy in Systems of Oppression is hosted by the World Bank Group’s FGM/C Legal Working Group. This presentation will center findings from Sahiyo’s research related to FGM/C, with a focus on various oppressive systems and their impact on FGM/C survivors and advocates; law and policy will be discussed within the context of religion, race/racism, and xenophobia. An intersectional framework highlights the need for those working within the FGM/C sphere to understand the complex nature of identity and its impact on the survivor experience, as well as anti-FGM/C activists to understand how their advocacy work may interact with other social justice movements. This data introduces multifaceted challenges created by intersecting social oppressions, and encourages participants to think of new possibilities. Event Date: April 24th Event Time: 12:00-1:00 PM EST Webinar link: https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_YmY3M2IxYTYtNGE2YS00OTJiLTg2NDktZDg5MjdjYWJkMDA1%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%252231a2fec0-266b-4c67-b56e-2796d8f59c36%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%252232509a77-1484-4050-8e11-946bcfa82b63%2522%257d%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=55af876c-af15-43a1-b650-237ae4f506b3&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true If you are interested in hosting a presentation on Sahiyo’s research findings for your organization or group, please contact Sahiyo’s Research Coordinator rachel@sahiyo.org.
Critical Intersections of FGM/C: The Value of Intersectionality in Cross-Collaboration Webinar
Sahiyo is excited to announce an upcoming event tied to our survivor and advocate-led Critical Intersections Research Project! This original research, which has been in development for over two years, examines the issue of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) through an intersectional lens. This includes an analysis of media on the topic (published in our first report), as well as data from a mixed-methods survey (published in our second report) and in-depth qualitative interviews (to be published later in 2024). The project seeks to understand both challenges that FGM/C survivors and activists face, as well as opportunities for cross-sector collaboration with other social justice movements. Critical Intersections of FGM/C: The Value of Intersectionality in Cross-Collaboration, hosted by API-GBV, will focus on collaborative aspects of social justice work. In hopes of facilitating meaningful discussion around cross-sector collaboration and intersectional programming, this presentation shares challenges and opportunities to collaborative projects found in our research, with plenty of time for feedback and weigh in from the audience. Because turning data into action is the goal, and Sahiyo continues its exploration on this topic, we hope to expand our understanding with the insights of activists, frontline professionals, and other attendees of this event. Event Date: April 23rd Event Time: 2:00-3:30 PM EST Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModOypqT0qG9BpxXwUcL_lIiFmUOSP_l49#/registration
A Recap: Public Screening of the Voices 8th Cohort Digital Stories
On March 27th, we hosted a screening of nine digital stories as part of the 8th cohort of the Voices to End FGM/C program. This gathering showcased the powerful narratives of survivors, allies, and advocates committed to ending female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). The discussion was moderated by Aries Nuño, Sahiyo’s Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, Amy Hill from Silence Speaks, and Orchid Pusey from Asian Women’s Shelter, who are from partner organizations in this initiative. We were also joined by Jeniffer Dias and Gugu Makhari, participants from the latest workshop, who were invited to shed more light on their personal stories and continued efforts in addressing FGM/C. The event was well attended, with about 15 participants engaging deeply with the stories presented. Attendees expressed their appreciation for the storytelling, noting one story as “very powerful and engaging” and another as “beautifully tender and fierce.” The authenticity and bravery of the storytellers were frequently highlighted, with one story where it was described that “this practice did not make me a woman, I am doing that,” a quote that resonated strongly with the audience. With a few storytellers, whose home country is The Gambia, a conversation was sparked about the government’s current attempt to repeal the ban against FGM/C. Noting the importance that survivors should be driving the narrative given their personal experiences with FGM/C and motivating the changes seen in legislation. Feedback underscored the event as a warm and welcoming environment where personal and challenging topics could be shared safely. Many thanked the storytellers for their courage and for being “cycle-breakers,” changing the future for the next generation of girls. We are grateful for the continued engagement and support from our community, which fuels our mission to end FGM/C. We look forward to more such impactful events and thank everyone who shared their stories and those who came to listen. Applications are closing soon for our Voices to End FGM/C 2024 Workshop. To learn more about this opportunity, please visit our website and apply here! Deadline is April 15th.
Presenting “Quiet Activism and the Psychosocial Impacts of Female Genital Cutting”
Event Overview Join us on April 25, 2024, at 12 PM EST for an enlightening webinar titled “Quiet Activism and the Psychosocial Impacts of Female Genital Cutting.” We are honored to feature speakers Arefa Cassoobhoy, Doris Mukangu, Farrah Dalal, Dena Igusti, and Lubaina Plumber, who will share their insights on leveraging quiet activism to navigate and transform the psychosocial landscape of FGC. During this webinar, you will be able to participate in a discussion about the diverse experiences of navigating the psychosocial landscape of FGC and advocacy work. Through shared stories and discussions, we aspire to showcase the transformative power of quiet activism. We’ve seen firsthand the profound impact of taking a personal stand, and we hope to empower attendees to appreciate the significance of their contributions to the movement against FGC. This webinar is an open invitation to anyone interested in understanding the broader impacts of FGC and the role of activism in driving change. Whether you are a survivor, activist, or someone interested in learning more about FGM/C, your presence will enrich the conversation. Register Today! A note from Sophia Jones, Sahiyo Events and Programs Intern When discussing the implications and outcomes of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) there is often an emphasis on the physical outcomes. However, the implications of FGC are wide and varied. Experiences of “othering,” emotional suppression, and the development of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder highlight the complex aftermath of FGC. This complexity extends to families who challenge cultural norms by rejecting FGC, facing societal marginalization for their decision. Against this backdrop, we invite you to show solidarity and learn more about “quiet activism”—individual actions that contribute to ending FGC, often without public acknowledgment. This form of activism, embracing everything from personal conversations to advocating within families, or artistic expressions that spark meaningful dialogue, represents powerful acts of change.
Reflections on Pain, Stigma, and Activism
By Tanya Samyak On December 6, 2023, Sahiyo organized a webinar titled Pain, Stigma and Sexual Health: Healing through Storytelling in collaboration with TightLipped, a grassroots organization supporting and advocating for individuals who experience chronic vulvovaginal and pelvic pain. Panelists shared their personal stories, which touched on topics survivors of female genital cutting (FGC) also can relate to like healing through storytelling and sexual health issues. The panelists included: Lakshmi Anantnaryan, who is an international women’s rights activist and alumni of Sahiyo’s Voices to End FGM/C project Grace Culqui, a women’s health advocate and an intern at TightLipped Lomaris Diaz, a veterinary anesthesiologist and active member of TightLipped Lakshmi, who has endometriosis, talked about how her inability to conceive a baby was the utmost concern for everybody around her and how much she was affected by societal beliefs that women’s bodies were only meant for reproduction and penetrative sex. In my opinion, this way of imagining the utility of women’s bodies demonstrates society’s ignorance about women’s sexual health. Her story also helped me understand that those experiencing endometriosis not only deal with physical pain but also emotional pain and a sense of embarrassment because of these patriarchal notions about a woman’s body. I also listened to the panelists who have vulvovaginal conditions speak about how they internalized the stigma they faced. Grace shared how some women experience shame in their relationships and an inferiority complex due to their sexual health challenges. She described how she felt she had to prove to her partner she was worthy to be in a relationship due to shame around her condition. Her experience articulates for me that there is a lack of understanding or representation of the conditions women may experience in mainstream media. Finally, Lomaris shared her experiences with healthcare professionals who didn’t understand her condition and further that there is a lack of information about chronic vulvovaginal conditions in the American gynecology curriculum. I understand now how this lack of education for healthcare providers can challenge someone with a vulvovaginal condition when they are seeking a healthcare provider who can properly diagnose their conditions and give conscientious support. These systemic issues can add to women’s suffering, and I commend Sahiyo and TightLipped for fostering a healing space and community that promotes the sexual health of survivors of FGC and vulvovaginal conditions.