Sahiyo volunteer spotlight: Programs intern Ellen Ince
Ellen obtained her Bachelor’s degree in European Studies, majoring in French. She is a current Human Rights Master’s student at University College Dublin. Her course examines the theoretical and legal underpinnings of human rights and the political pressures inherent within the field. With a passion for human rights, social justice, diplomacy, education and languages, Ellen enjoys working across cultures and working as part of a team. She has a particular interest in women’s rights and is curious about how the language of human rights is translated across cultures. Transforming attitudes concerning female genital cutting (FGC) in a way that is compatible with and sensitive to local culture is fundamental in achieving change. Ellen is looking forward to being part of Sahiyo’s mission to end FGC. What was your experience of learning about FGC for the first time like? I remember the shock I felt when I learnt about FGC for the first time. Up until this point I had never heard of female genital cutting. The practice was one which I couldn’t understand. I quickly searched for more information and became interested not only in learning more, but in how I could contribute to ending this practice. When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I joined the Sahiyo team in January. I came across the organisation while carrying out research for a paper I was doing as part of my studies. I found the Sahiyo resources to be very useful and didn’t think twice about reaching out regarding internship opportunities! What does your work with Sahiyo involve? As a Program’s Intern my role includes attending meetings and keeping up to date with Sahiyo resources, researching topics and planning webinars, co-ordinating speakers, writing reflections on webinars to be posted on Sahiyo’s blog, assisting the social media team in advertising Sahiyo programs, attending virtual events hosted by outside organisation, as well as carrying out literature reviews. How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? I have always been passionate about ending gender inequalities and firmly believe that human rights emerge and evolve through the attempts of ordinary people to combat injustice. My experience with Sahiyo has showcased the importance of grassroots activism. Sahiyo is a welcoming, supportive and inspirational network of people. Joining Sahiyo has given me the opportunity to merge my passions and values. I enjoy working across cultures and working as part of a team, and Sahiyo has enabled me to do just that. 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 important to find out what issues are important to you and throw yourself into opportunities that allow you to contribute to change. What is special about Sahiyo is that everyone can help out in their own way. Whether you’re eager to learn more or enthusiastic about writing and creating social media content, Sahiyo’s intern programs have something for everyone. We all have skills to offer and giving your time to this worthy cause will give you so much back in return.
Sahiyo volunteer spotlight: Editorial intern Kristin Grady
Kristin received her Certification of Editing through the University of Washington. As an enthusiastic grammarian and dedicated feminist, she is passionate about elevating women’s voices through storytelling and communal dialogue. Kristin has spent many years as a genre-fiction specialist and intends to use her editorial skillset to assist Sahiyo’s mission of ending the practice of FGC. When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I became involved with Sahiyo when I applied for the internship program after finishing my editing certification. And good thing I did, this program has undoubtedly changed the course of my life. What does your work with Sahiyo involve? As an editorial intern with this organization, I guide volunteers through the blog publishing process. When a topic of interest arises, we reach out to interested volunteers and help them develop the narrative direction. It feels personal, intimate almost, given the nature of the work we do here at Sahiyo. I have also worked on proofreading the new website and expanded on Sahiyo’s existing Style Guide, a cool editing tool that we use to make our usage and spelling consistent–in the same way a baker might rely on a recipe. Overall, it’s a wonderful balance of personal connection and professional development. How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? This is emotionally demanding work. Learning more about female genital cutting, article after article, interview after interview, project after project, is an act of extreme empathy. And while I will never know firsthand the trauma of what survivors have experienced, I can do the important work of providing community, of shaping dialogue, around this issue. It’s hard. It’s hard wading through the intense, irreversible suffering of others. I’ve been angry. I’ve cried. I’ve felt the foundations of my worldview shift. But the most important lesson I have learned from this experience is that discomfort is so profoundly necessary. I have always been the kind of person that doesn’t watch the news, doesn’t keep up on climate change or any other distressing issue because it hurts. It makes me feel powerless. And this has been no different. I’ve wanted to turn away from this task. I’ve been able to turn away when I need to. And what a privilege that is. What a privilege to be able to set down these stories, to close the browser and shift my focus to lighter things. Reprieve is a gift. But survivors deserve more from me than that. They deserve to be heard. They deserve a world where violence and control over women’s bodies are things of the past. This job has forced me to be uncomfortable. To look. To listen. To hear. In ways that I did not know were possible before. I have gained a deeper resilience and respect for womanhood. What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? Be uncomfortable. Listen to the story of your own emotional responses. When it hurts to hear, check your privilege and reflect. Survivors of this practice are not different from you. They may look different. They may live an ocean away (though many do not), but they deserve the same extension of humanity and kindness that you would wish to receive. So do the important work of listening, of funding, of opening yourself up to this tough task. Sahiyo is an enriching community of brave, courageous women and men working to remove a stain upon our global history, one that has lasted millennia. Being a part of that is so cool. You will find, I’m sure, no greater honor.
Sahiyo volunteer spotlight: Social media intern Kristel Mendoza Castillo
Kristel Mendoza Castillo is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut majoring in Communications. She strongly believes in the values of consent and a woman’s right over her own body, which is why she’s excited to work with the team at Sahiyo. She looks forward to creating social change to help enforce our mission of empowering girls and women all around the world. 1) When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I was searching for internships and came across Sahiyo’s listing. After reading and learning more about their work, I became completely interested in being part of their team. I interviewed, chose Sahiyo’s internship, and started working in the communications department as a social media intern in February of 2021. 2) What does your work with Sahiyo involve? As a social media intern, I mostly create content that is relevant to Sahiyo’s online presence, as well as sharing it on all social media platforms. I also create social media reports to track campaigns and Sahiyo’s overall growth on social media. 3) How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? I was not that well-informed about female genital cutting (FGC) until I came across all the information on Sahiyo’s website. Ever since then I have learned a lot about the topic. As part of my internship, I have been tasked to post content about Sahiyo’s campaigns such as the behind the scenes of Activists’ Retreats, or the ongoing Voices To End FGM/C 2021 project. I have been able to watch and listen to so many people’s stories and that has made me want to keep supporting and working with Sahiyo to bring an end to FGC. 4) What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? I encourage people to become an ally or share their own stories if they have them. Sahiyo is a great organization filled with many great people that can provide the support or all the resources that you need. By supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC you are working toward making the world a safer and better place for girls all around the world. The good thing is that there are so many ways in which you can support Sahiyo’s mission.
Sahiyo volunteer spotlight: Communications intern Amena Ali
Communications intern Amena Ali lives in Houston, Texas, and her all-time obsessions are tea and cat videos. She has a degree in psychology, but is currently working as a personal stylist. She is passionate about mental health, and she’s made it her life goal to make it a more open topic amongst immigrant families. 1) When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I’ve followed Sahiyo for a long time, but only recently started working with them and getting involved. My first Sahiyo event was the Activists’ Retreat earlier this year. 2) What does your work with Sahiyo involve? My work involves compiling and organizing databases. I’m also working on article mentions, as well as the Dear Maasi video which represents Farzana Doctor’s sex and relationship column. 3) How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? My work with Sahiyo has given me resources on female genital mutilation/cutting. It also helped me to address the conversation on taboo topics with a lot of people around me. 4) What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? There is nothing more important than fighting for what you believe in. Your mental health and well-being come before any explained/unexplained customs and traditions. Your body is yours. No one gets to decide what happens to it except you and you only. Have empathy and learn how to be understanding.
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.
Sahiyo Volunteer Spotlight: Social Media Intern Kamakshi Arora
Kamakshi Arora is a social media intern for Sahiyo. She is a multidisciplinary designer, artist, and researcher. She has a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from NC State and a Masters in Product Design from The University of The Arts. Originally from Mumbai, India, she moved to the United States to pursue higher studies. She is particularly interested in using a transdisciplinary, participatory approach to design strategies for addressing current gender inequities, and to co-create meaningful initiatives to tackle women’s rights and health issues. She supports Sahiyo’s mission of empowering women through innovative grassroots initiatives based on storytelling and community engagement and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more about working in a feminist organization. 1) When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? It was early in the year, and I really wanted to volunteer and support a feminist organization that was working for gender equity and reform. My thesis was on the concept of healing for survivors of sexual assault. I wanted to find an organization that was doing similar work and as soon as I found out about Sahiyo, I knew I had found that place. Sahiyo’s approach of combining storytelling and advocacy really caught my eye. I’m also from Mumbai so it felt like a great fit to be a part of an organization that was based out of my home. 2) What does your work with Sahiyo involve? Right now I’m mostly involved in social media. This includes programming and developing content, sharing articles and educational information on our channels, and maintaining our persona online. As a designer, I love that I can be creative as I have used my artwork and drawing as a way to advance Sahiyo’s program. I try to subtly use my training in human-centered design and trauma-informed principles in the work that I create for Sahiyo. 3) How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? Greatly. For one thing, I saw the power of storytelling in all its forms. Sahiyo taught me to be coherent and persevering with our messages and how we can write a story that supports the purpose of our mission. Second, my perspectives as an intersectional feminist have expanded. I was not aware of female genital cutting (FGC) before. I have learned much about the issue of FGC and its existence in the broader context of women’s subjugation in our society and cultures. I’m now a lifelong advocate and ally of Sahiyo’s mission and will continue to use my own skills to do my bit. 4) What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? Please do not be afraid to learn and inquire about female genital cutting. By asking questions and speaking actively, we are contributing to Sahiyo’s mission to end FGC. Share our stories, attend our workshops, make a donation, and/or volunteer. It’s all so informative, and you’ll leave with a wealth of resources to do your own advocacy.
Sahiyo highlights programs intern for scholarship win
Sahiyo programs intern Cate Cox won a scholarship via The Passionate Leaders Project (PLP) that supports undergraduate students at Simmons University. Cate is currently studying International Relations, Economics, and Arabic. While working at Sahiyo she has helped to organize many dynamic webinars, including Moving Towards Sexual Pleasure and Emotional Healing After FGC, Art, Activism, and Healing: In Conversation Around FGC, and Everyone’s Responsibility: Discussing the Role Male Allies Play in Preventing FGC. Cate’s project, titled “The Silent Pandemic: Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Gender-Based Violence in the United States,” combines work experience, research, and event planning to advance our understanding of how COVID-19 has exacerbated or reconstructed violence against women in the U.S. She is working on this project during her internship with Sahiyo: United Against Female Genital Cutting, and by writing a research paper on this topic, and organizing a webinar/seminar with key academics in this field. “Working at Sahiyo was a big part of my inspiration for this project,” Cate said. “I started my internship in August and got to see firsthand how the organization was having to shift its programming from in-person to virtual due to COVID-19. This inspired me to think about how the field of gender-based violence prevention as a whole was having to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19. How have domestic abuse shelters had to adapt? How have lobbying organizations fighting for women’s rights had to adapt? And overall, how has violence against women itself been reconstructed or exacerbated due to COVID-19?”The Passionate Leaders Project (PLP) supports undergraduate students seeking to enrich their academic and professional interests by funding learning opportunities beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom. Students receive funding through the PLP to fund a variety of activities, including, but not limited to global experiences, research, internships, service projects, and creative endeavors. A competitive research opportunity, only around 10 undergraduate students are chosen every semester to receive this funding and support.
Sahiyo Volunteer Spotlight: Development Intern Yusra Majoka
Yusra Majoka is passionate about ending gender inequalities and believes in creating sustainable change by empowering girls and women in our communities. She graduated from St. Georges, University of London with a masters in global health. She is focused on improving women’s health and advocating for autonomy and education surrounding women’s rights. 1) When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I began working as a development intern for Sahiyo in October 2020. I had been following Sahiyo on their Instagram page for some time and was inspired by their mission to end female genital cutting (FGC). When I saw a call for applications, I was excited by the opportunity. 2) What does your work with Sahiyo involve? My work with Sahiyo as a development intern means supporting our development team by completing tasks in the area of grant research and funding. Each month I contribute with grant or funding source research, or by helping to create fundraising campaigns. Within these areas I also help in other ways, by creating any emails that need to be sent, or maintaining documents to track our progress. 3) How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? Working with Sahiyo has helped me to better understand how imperative it is to end female genital cutting. Before joining Sahiyo I was not well versed with the issue and now am able to understand how complex FGC is, and how much more work needs to be done to help both survivors of FGC and communities from changing their attitudes around it. Working with Sahiyo has inspired me to have challenging conversations with my own family and friends. 4) What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? To anyone interested in Sahiyo, I would encourage them to follow what Sahiyo has achieved and support our goals to continue to protect women and young girls. One of the most important ways to support this mission is by dismantling the taboo surrounding FGC. By encouraging open dialogue in our communities we are able to bring much needed awareness to the issue, increase community education and involvement, and bring ourselves one step closer to ending FGC.
Bhaiyo: Male Allies
Bhaiyo: Male Allies Sahiyo’s Bhaiyo or Male Allyship program was first launched in February 6th2021, on International Day for Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Cutting (FGC). In Bohra Gujarati, Bhaiyo means male friends or brothers. To Sahiyo, it also means a resource and avenue for men to become involved in raising awareness on FGC, and working towards supporting survivors and prevention for future generations. BECOME A BHAIYO English Application भाईयो स्वयंसेवक आवेदन पत्र View Impact Report 2021-2022 View Program Overview View Past Bhaiyo Campaigns VIEW THE BHAIYO BROCHURE English Brochure भाइयों पुस्तिका History & Impact The idea for Bhaiyo first came about during Sahiyo’s 2020 Annual Activist Retreat in which male-identifiying participants took part for the first time.These participants voiced their interest in creating a program aimed at supporting male-identifying individuals to work to end FGC. Thus, Bhaiyo was created. Thus Bhaiyo grew from community-recognition that there was a need for gender-responsive programming that supported the education of male allies. Our Bhaiyo activities have included: ‘Everyone’s Responsibility: Discussing The Role Male Allies Play in Preventing FGC, an event inviting male allies from around the globe to share lessons learned and challenges in working to involve men in ending FGC. A public awareness campaign on Father’s Day to highlight the role fathers can play in ending FGC and encourage men to come together as allies in this movement Each One, Reach Bhaiyo, a public awareness campaign that encourages advocates to speak to men on FGC in their communities. Program Impact Report 2021-2022 The report spans the duration of the Bhaiyo program, from its creation in February 2021 through December 2022, and covers the challenges, lessons learned, and future paths for growth. View Report Read a powerful story from our campaign: Breaking the Silence: A Conversation with My Father about FGM/C. In honor of Father’s Day 2024, Bhaiyo launched a month-long public awareness campaign to uplift the importance of male voices and allies in ending FGC. Community members shared how they raised the topic of FGC in conversation with men in their lives. Visit our blog to learn more about one of our community member’s experience in speaking with their father. “To my surprise, he expressed genuine concern for the well-being of women and girls affected by FGC, acknowledging the need for collective action to end this form of gender-based violence. This, in a sense, marked the beginning of a journey towards greater awareness and empathy. My father may not have fully grasped the complexities of gender inequality overnight, but our dialogue opened the door to ongoing discussions and reflection that we may want to explore in the future.” ~ Blog post by Sharlon Bolos Support our Bhaiyo Program
Sahiyo Volunteer Spotlight: Isabel Panno Shepard
Isabel joined Sahiyo as a Communications Intern. She studied cultural anthropology and human rights at Duke University. She is interested in the use of alternative media for social justice and believes in a multimedia approach to storytelling. Her work aims to center experiences and expressions of girlhood across communities and individuals. She joined Sahiyo to empower those affected by FGC through listening to, elevating, and advocating on behalf of their stories. 1) When and how did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I joined Sahiyo as a communication intern a couple of months after I graduated from Duke University last spring. When I came across the job listing and read about programs like Voices to End FGM/C, I wanted to be a part of Sahiyo’s mission to end FGC through survivor-centered advocacy and collective storytelling. So, I sat down, wrote my application, interviewed, and here I am! 2) What does your work with Sahiyo involve? One of my favorite parts of being a Sahiyo intern is that I’ve been able to work on a wide variety of projects that introduced me to a lot of awesome Sahiyo staff, interns, and volunteers. Beyond the intern standard pack of tasks (think MailChimp, Doodle Polls, and Google Calendar), I’ve assisted with and participated in a storytelling workshop on the intersection of FGM/C and global systems of oppression, created storyboards from Voices workshops, and even drafted a few official organization policies. 3) How has your involvement with Sahiyo impacted your life? Sahiyo has grounded in me such a profound respect for the power of story. It’s an honor to witness the vulnerability and strength of the women (and men) who come together to speak out about FGC through their experiences both shared and not. This community has taught me that stories can unite us, heal us, and empower us – as long as we respect and make space for one another. 4) What words of wisdom would you like to share with others who may be interested in supporting Sahiyo and the movement against FGC? Slow down and listen.