Intern Spotlight: Policy Intern Rachel Aguilar
Rachel Aguilar is a fourth-year at the University of Chicago where she is a Dean’s, University, and Dewey Scholar. She majors in Political Science and minors in Inequality, Social Problems, and Change. Rachel recently joined Sahiyo as a Policy Intern. How did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I first got involved with Sahiyo because I was intrigued by the organization and despite learning about FGM/C in other countries, I did not know that it occurred in the US. Learning that even the “husband-stitch” was considered FGM/C, got me interested in interning for Sahiyo and supporting the movement to end FGM/C. What does your work with Sahiyo involve? I am a policy intern! This means that I work to support Sahiyo and various policy-focused state coalitions in their work. I help write and review information packets, compile contact information, reach out to partner organizations, track legislation and official statements, and more. How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? Working with Sahiyo has exposed me to issues within our society, legal, and healthcare systems that I was not previously aware of. It is empowering to be involved with work that aims to support women. I am also incredibly grateful to have an opportunity to experience and participate in the policy process. What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? FGM/C affects more people than you can imagine. I encourage people to educate themselves and find ways to get involved. Supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGM/C can be as simple as signing a petition or writing a blog post.
Intern Spotlight: Fundraising & Auction Intern Lisa Zhu
Lisa is currently a high school student at Colleyville Heritage High School in Dallas, Texas. At school, she participates in DECA business competitions, fundraises for the Asian Food and Culture Club, and likes physics and math. In her spare time, she enjoys figure skating, spending time with her family, and reading. Lisa hopes to make a positive impact on her community regardless of the career path she takes. She is excited to help make positive change for women all around the world through this opportunity with Sahiyo. When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? When I first discovered the internship position, I was immediately drawn to Sahiyo’s mission. At that time, I had never heard of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), but as I read more about it on Sahiyo’s website, I became deeply troubled by this form of gender-based violence. I was especially shocked to learn that FGM/C affects girls of my age in the U.S. I felt compelled to contribute to the efforts to end this issue, and this internship provided the perfect opportunity to do so. At the time I applied for this position, I was still exploring potential career paths. I wasn’t sure which direction to take yet, so this internship presented a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the nonprofit sector while aligning my work with a cause I felt passionate about. I saw this role as a way to not only contribute to a mission I believe in, but also to explore the field of social justice and advocacy, which has become a growing interest of mine. What does your work with Sahiyo involve? As a Fundraising & Auction intern, I assist in finding funding opportunities to support Sahiyo’s programs. One aspect of my work involves conducting research to find relevant grants for Sahiyo and drafting grant applications. Over the past couple of months, I’ve had the chance to develop my grant writing skills by working on smaller grants, and I am now gaining experience in completing more complex, larger-scale grants. Additionally, I actively solicit donations for Saiyo’s annual Silent Auction, curating compelling travel packages to attract contributions from generous donors. How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? As someone with no personal connection to FGM/C, I initially questioned whether I had a place in this movement. Additionally, as a high school student, I felt under qualified to make real, impactful change alongside experienced adults. I was anxious my age and lack of knowledge of FGM/C would prevent me from being able to contribute meaningfully to a global cause. However, I quickly discovered that the community working to end FGM/C is open-minded and welcoming to anyone who shares the common goal of addressing this critical issue. My peers on the Development team, seminar panelists, and other members of the community have consistently been responsive to my questions—whether about FGM/C, activism more broadly, or professional development. Their patience has shown me that, regardless of the fact that I’m a young person without extensive experience in a professional setting, the community will help you if you’re willing to learn about FGM/C and put in effort to end it. Regardless of the career path I ultimately pursue, the work environment I’ve experienced at Sahiyo has provided a valuable example of a compassionate yet results-driven workplace. Moreover, my enhanced understanding of gender-based injustice, both globally and domestically, has equipped me to prioritize inclusivity and cultural awareness in any field. I now feel confident that I can contribute meaningfully to social justice work, and this experience has reinforced my commitment to advocating for marginalized communities, no matter where my career takes me. What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? If you’re on the fence about volunteering, interning, or working with others in this movement to end FGM/C because of a lack of skills, personal connection, or any other reason, please know that everyone in the community is more than willing to teach, support, and collaborate with you. Whether you’re just beginning to learn about FGM/C or you’re already well-versed in the issue, your willingness to engage, ask questions, and put in the effort to make a difference is what truly matters. The most important step is taking that initial leap to get involved—and once you do, you’ll find a community that is eager to welcome you, teach you, and work alongside you to make a real impact.
Intern Spotlight: Maeve Monger Events & Programs Intern
Maeve is currently an undergraduate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign pursuing a degree in Political Science and Public Relations, with an interest in citizen politics. Through her studies and female-founded extracurriculars, Maeve has become increasingly interested in advocating for women’s rights throughout the world. She is excited to be a part of Sahiyo U.S. and be able to support this progressive change. When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I first became involved with Sahiyo in May 2024 when looking to get my foot in the door for non-profit work. What does your work with Sahiyo involve? Being a Programs and Events Intern with Sahiyo involves a variety of tasks. My role often involves supporting the incredible women here who work selflessly to provide resources and engagement to survivors and fellow advocates against FGM/C. I find pride in being a support system for these women that work for Sahiyo, and that I am able to provide a helping hand in these events to support other women throughout the world. How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? My involvement with Sahiyo these past few months has drastically impacted my life, opening my eyes to the survivors of FGM/C. The gravity of FGM/C is something that may have been overlooked in my life prior to working with Sahiyo because it is a topic that is not discussed as much as it should be. However, now I have become a huge advocate in supporting survivors of FGM/C. I have always had a passion for women’s rights, but my involvement with Sahiyo has only increased that and gave me a platform to speak out about women’s rights, and more specifically FGM/C. I have found it extremely fulfilling working with Sahiyo and being able to be apart of the fight to end FGM/C. What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? Do what makes you passionate. Your participation in the movement against FGM/C is so much more meaningful than you may think. Move with empathy and courage, and your voice will make an impact.
Intern Spotlight: Policy Intern Sara Khattak
Sara is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at George Mason University in Chinese and Global Affairs and minoring in American Sign Language. On campus, she is an active member of the community as a Certified Personal Trainer and Executive Officer for the Fencing Club. Off campus, she enjoys staying home to read, play video games, and journal. Sara hopes to aspire to leverage her skills and interests to bridge communication gaps between diverse communities. Joining Sahiyo is part of that mission to understand cultural differences and end FGC. When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I first found out about Sahiyo when I was researching FGC for a social justice philanthropy class last fall. I gathered information about the practice of FGC, who it affects, and what nonprofits were addressing the issues. I then gave a presentation to my class on the topic. While looking at Sahiyo’s website, I saw that internships were available and mentally bookmarked it for later. I applied to be an intern at Sahiyo this past spring, and then began my work with Sahiyo in July 2024. What does your work with Sahiyo involve? As a policy intern, I attend state coalition meetings, interview coalition members, and write various blogs about FGM/C and coalition work. The state coalitions have been created to work collaboratively on strengthening and advocating for policy solutions regarding FGM/C. I’ve attended meetings for the Washington, Connecticut, Hawaii, and DC, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) coalitions to End FGM/C. Each coalition is at a different progress stage, so I’m gaining a well-rounded view of the advocacy and implementation process they are pursuing. I’m also writing blogs about how to get involved with anti-FGC activism and the history of FGC in the U.S. Additionally, I’m holding interviews with coalition members to better understand their perspective within this movement and the work they have done to pass legislation. The Hawaii and DMV coalitions to End FGM/C are still in the beginning stages of building their programs, so I’m doing preliminary research on lawmakers and statistics for them in addition to providing other forms of support. How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? This is my first time working in a policy role and I have already learned so much about advocacy, writing, and communication. With a little experience and knowledge, I feel more confident in speaking out about FGC and educating my family and friends on the topic. Raising awareness is the first step for change, and it’s not as hard to get involved as people think! FGC was important for me to speak about because it’s not well-known despite its presence in the U.S. I wanted my peers to become more aware of it. What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? Just join! Sahiyo has a ton of volunteers and opportunities for anyone to make an impact. Everyone who is against FGC should get involved, every bit of involvement counts, and sometimes the smallest actions can lead to unexpected and meaningful change. The effect of collective action cannot be understated.
Volunteer Spotlight: Policy Intern Juliet Shires
Juliet Shires is a rising junior at San Diego State University studying English with minors in Political Science and French. She is passionate about making meaningful policy changes accompanied by comprehensive educational programming. Juliet is excited to be working with Sahiyo to join the fight against gender-based violence, bringing marginalized voices to the forefront. When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I began my time at Sahiyo as a policy intern at the end of March 2024. I found Sahiyo because I was looking for internships where I could get involved with policy work. I wasn’t searching for advocacy around a particular issue but when I found Sahiyo and looked more into their work, I knew it was something I wanted to be involved in. What does your work with Sahiyo involve? My day-to-day work with Sahiyo can take many different forms. Most of it revolves around Sahiyo’s advocacy work with several state coalitions to pass or improve laws around FGC. This can take the form of attending meetings and interviewing coalition members in order to write blog posts highlighting the work that the coalition is doing. Most recently I have been planning the “CA Coalition – FGM/C in California – Past, Present, and Future” webinar. The aim of which is to grow the policy work we are doing in California. This webinar should take place in early August. In the Washington coalition, I have aided in the implementation phase of Senate Bill 5453, which was passed last year, helping fill out plans going into next year and researching how other states have implemented their own FGC laws. How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? I have learned so much already in my time with Sahiyo. From the importance of listening to survivors, to realizing just how many people and communities are impacted by FGC. Furthermore, Sahiyo has shown me how much I enjoy working on single-issue policy. What this means is that my work at Sahiyo revolves around FGC, allowing me to focus on helping to support policy that revolves around a specific issue, which leads to policies that are better attuned to addressing FGC. What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? Just get involved in any way you can, and in whatever way you have the capacity to do so. The most intimidating step is always the first, so I think it’s important to just jump right in with advocacy, and take the time to learn about the issue. Related: Volunteer Spotlight: Programs Intern Sophia Jones Staff Spotlight Community Engagement Coordinator: Samman Masud A conversation with Washington activist Absa Samba: SB 5453 a product of collaboration and persistence Washington State becomes 41st state to pass law against FGM/C
Volunteer Spotlight: Development & Programs Intern Tanya Samyak
Tanya Samyak is a junior at Simmons University majoring in Political Science and Economics. She is passionate about learning and working about preventing gender based violence and discrimination in the human rights space. She is excited to work with Sahiyo and contribute towards various interesting educational and awareness programs. What was your experience of learning about female genital cutting (FGC) for the first time like? I remember my first exposure to learning about FGC was in a classroom setting at my University. I felt a sense of loss by the fact that this practice was so widespread and that generations continued it after enduring the harm themselves. I was also very sad for the survivors who have to face the aftermath of this practice, which was done without their consent When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I got to know about Sahiyo from a senior at my college, Catherine Cox, who was Sahiyo’s Programs Coordinator for several years. She encouraged me to apply for the internship. I became involved with Sahiyo as an Events and Programs intern in September 2023. What does your work with Sahiyo involve? As an Events and Program Intern, I support Sahiyo’s various programs and initiatives, including developing educational and informative blog posts and reflection pieces about FGC. I assist with outreach and community engagement programs like Voices to End FGM/C. I am also very excited to organize and coordinate the logistics of an upcoming webinar that will foster discussion on the topic of community engagement with regards to preventing the practice of FGC. How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? I think Sahiyo has contributed greatly to my professional life. I have learned to be a team player, strengthened my communication skills, and grown in my attention to detail as I have carried out the work that I do here. What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? Firstly, I would like to appreciate their interest in working for this great cause. FGC is a very important but underrepresented issue. Not a lot of people are aware of this form of gender-based violence, so I would appreciate their motivation and interest in joining this movement and supporting Sahiyo. I would advise them to enjoy the work they are doing, and find joy in being part of a community filled with people who are working for the same mission.
Events and Programs Intern Tanya Samyak receives PLP Acceptance from Simmons University
My name is Tanya Samyak (she/her) and I am majoring in Political Science and Economics at Simmons University. In September 2023, I began my role as a Events and Program Intern at Sahiyo U.S. a nonprofit organization based in Mumbai, India and Cambridge, Massachussetts, USA, whose mission is to empower Asian and other communities to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and to create positive social change through dialogue, education, and community collaboration. As an Events and Program Intern, I look forward to supporting various Sahiyo programs and initiatives such as developing educational and informative blog posts and reflection pieces connected to the topic of female genital cutting. I am also very excited to coordinate and produce a webinar that will facilitate discussion on the topic of community engagement with regards to preventing the practice of FGC. Alongside gaining this internship, I applied for and was accepted into the Simmons’ Passionate Leaders Project (PLP), a program administered by the university’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship. The PLP program is meant to support and provide funding for diverse opportunities, extending beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom setting, such as global experiences, research, internships, service projects, and other creative endeavors. I was thrilled to receive news of my acceptance into this program in late October. Currently, the stipend provided by PLP is being utilized to compensate for my time at Sahiyo as an intern. Lastly, I am grateful to my internship advisor Meg Sinnott, and the rest of the Sahiyo staff whom I am working with: Aries Nuno, Samman Masud, and Mariya Taher for their guidance throughout this internship process.
Sahiyo volunteer spotlight: Research intern Madrisha Debnath
Madrisha Debnath is a graduate from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi with a masters in geography. Her research interests are in the area of feminist geography, geography of bodies and embodiment. Having a female body, she is passionate to understand the cultural practice of FGC and the process of cultural embodiment. She is grateful to Sahiyo for upholding feminist values and thus being culturally inclusive and looks forward to making a meaningful contribution as a research intern at achieving Sahiyo’s aim. 1. When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I had come to know about the practice of female genital cutting (FGC) in the African context from feminist literature that I was referring to during my master’s course in geography of social wellbeing concerning gender disparity. I had randomly searched for whether the practice was prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. This is when I came to know about Sahiyo and the petition they had initiated against the practice. I was inspired by how a counter feminist space was created by Sahiyo enabling women to come together and speak up against such patriarchal norms and practices. I had approached Sahiyo via email and was interviewed for the position of research intern. I was inspired by the active role Sahiyo had taken in the movement around “my body, my choice” and shared my views on body politics during the interview. 2. What does your work with Sahiyo involve? My work with Sahiyo includes analyzing transcripts and writing articles and reflections on webinars on FGC. I am working closely with the core team members in performing thematic analysis on survivors’ accounts for Sahiyo’s storytelling project. 3. How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? Aspiring to be a researcher, working with Sahiyo has helped me in developing an emic perspective on FGC by gaining sensitive cultural interpretations and working closely with the community facing the issue. I have learned a lot from Sahiyo’s storytelling program on how to normalize talk around such sensitive issues and deal with them from the grassroots level. I also loved the democratic work culture of the organization that gives space for dialogue and participation without feeling overburdened. 4. What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? In my opinion, if anyone is motivated to do a certain task, the will comes from within. It is not easy to break the silence on the taboo of FGC, or for that matter any social problems, but if we start we can contribute to at least some changes and contribute toward building an equal society.
My meaningful experience as an intern at Sahiyo
By Nicole Mitchell In early 2019, I had the pleasure of joining the Sahiyo team as a Social Media Intern. I remember being a bit nervous, as working fully remote at a new company was something I had never done before. Both my supervisor, Lara Kingstone, and the co-Founder Mariya Taher, were extremely friendly and supportive during the onboarding process. Over time, their passion about ending female genital cutting (FGC) became contagious, to the point where I found myself actually looking forward to doing the work. At the time, I had a very busy schedule where I was finishing up my senior year of college, doing a concurrent internship in Boston, all while working full-time. Despite this, I found that working for a cause that would change so many lives for the better gave me a sense of fulfillment that I wasn’t expecting. To be honest, I miss this feeling. This is one of the things I thank Sahiyo for because I now know that it is possible to have a job that you can actually be excited about. The dreariness of your typical 9-5 cubicle life that we see in the media, or the idea of hating your job, but enduring it so you can at least enjoy the weekend, doesn’t have to be true for everyone. Many of us can find meaning and enjoyment in our work. Working with Sahiyo gave me direction, hope and inspiration for my future. On a more practical level, my internship also gave me tools that allowed for me to transfer easily into a role as a marketing specialist at a Boston–based company after graduating with my B..A. While I know that it is rare to land your dream job the first time, I am glad that I at least have an idea of what type of work I can look for in the future because of my experiences with Sahiyo. One of my favorite things I did while at Sahiyo was work on a digital campaign where survivors could tell their stories. This was a powerful experience where women from all over the world came together to share their experiences and take a united stand in ending this practice. I was also responsible for writing and scheduling out the content which helped cultivate my creative, strategic and organizational skills. Overall, I am extremely thankful for this opportunity and am glad I can still be a part of this organization in a volunteer capacity. I would highly recommend this internship to anyone who is looking to develop their marketing skills and are passionate about making the world a better place through elevating the lives of others.
Sahiyo Intern Spotlight: Development Intern Maria Elena Rivera-Beckstrom
Maria Elena Rivera-Beckstrom is a researcher and an instructor with a strong interest in gender and women’s rights, and human rights. She uses her teaching as a platform to raise awareness on gender violence and inequity. She joins Sahiyo so she can contribute to the efforts in ending female genital cutting (FGC) as a development intern. She currently teaches at Salem State University’s Interdisciplinary Studies Department and also works at the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership. 1) When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I started with Sahiyo on the week of May 18 as one of the new development interns. I basically found the call for application and looked up Sahiyo. It was actually the first time I learned about the organization, and although I have known about FGC, I did not know that it is also practiced in Asia. I voraciously read the website and decided to apply for the internship. 2) What does your work with Sahiyo involve? As a development intern, I help in funds-sourcing by doing research on grants for which we’re eligible to apply. I also help in developing and planning fundraising campaigns. Later, I believe, I will help out in writing proposals for grants. I also fulfill special assignments for staff members. 3) How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? Since I have joined Sahiyo, I have become more knowledgeable about FGC and its practice in Asia. Although I just basically started, I am also learning more about the operations of a nonprofit. What’s most impactful, however, is that I already feel integrated with a group of people who are driven by the same mission: to end FGC. It is quite amazing to work with people who are passionate about and committed to a cause that addresses a particular issue of gender violence. It gives your life another level of meaning. 4) What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? It is always a worthy endeavor to join a group of people for a worthy cause. Sahiyo’s effort to end FGC is a cause worthy of everyone’s time and investment and I encourage you to join us. What we’re doing impacts the lives of girls and women, and when we give even a little of ourselves to others, we make our own lives richer and more meaningful. We welcome you in our journey. Join us.