Reflecting on Sahiyo’s Voices Healing Circle
On December 18th, Sahiyo hosted a Voices Healing Circle where participants from across workshop cohorts came together to reconnect and meet new members of the Voices network. These sessions are part of Sahiyo’s ongoing support events for Voices alumni, serving to create a space for sharing experiences, fostering camaraderie, navigating the challenges, and celebrating the successes encountered post-release of their Voices to End FGM/C digital stories. This particular Healing Circle engaged Voices alumni who were open to sharing personal experiences from the release of their stories with the most recent Voices cohort. The Circle sparked discussions on the bravery in challenging barriers that make these conversations so difficult, as well as how opening up about female genital cutting (FGC) often means confronting not only personal trauma, but also societal expectations and norms. Alumni also reflected on experiences of receiving empathy from individuals not impacted by the practice, and how they were able to foster connections across diverse experiences. The overarching goal was to prepare participants of the August 2023 Voices cohort for the public debut of their narratives. Through open discussions, we can gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate the complexities and emotions that come with sharing personal experiences. We extend heartfelt gratitude to all participants of the Voices workshops over the years for their courage and resilience in sharing their stories with us and the world, and express our admiration for those taking steps towards breaking the silence and fostering understanding and change in their communities. Learn more about the Voices to End FGM/C program.
Sahiyo holds first Voices to End FGM/C Healing Circle
On March 13th, Sahiyo held our first Voices to End FGM/C Healing Circle in partnership with StoryCenter and Asian Women’s Shelter. As the Voices to End FGM/C project has grown over the past 5 years with over 60 participants, storytellers have asked to be able to connect in other ways. After receiving feedback via a survey on what additional support structures would be helpful for our program participants, we initiated the Voices to End FGM/C Healing Circles. These Healing Circles continue to provide a safe space for our past project participants to hold conversations with one another on FGM/C; to reflect on their journey in sharing their story; and continue to strengthen their support systems in place by building community with Voices participants from other cohorts.