Voices to End FGM/C 2024 Cohort Video Screening
Date: December 10, 2024 Time: 4-5:30 PM PT/7-8:30 PM ET Registration link: https://bit.ly/RegisterVoices24Screening On Tuesday, December 10th at 4-5:30 PM P.T./7-8:30 PM E.T., Sahiyo – in partnership with Asian Women’s Shelter and Silence Speaks – will host a screening of the newest set of Voices to End FGM/C digital stories, created by survivors of and advocates working to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). In addition to viewing these 10 new poignant stories, attendees will hear from some of the storytellers themselves about their experiences in the storytelling workshop and their work to end FGM/C. “It’s like we created our own community as we held space for one another while bearing witness to each other’s stories as they were told. I also appreciated and valued the accommodations made to ensure that all participants had the best possible experience. It’s things like this that made the workshop a special and meaningful space to be a part of. ” – Musu Bakoto Sawo, Voices ‘24 Workshop Participant The Voices to End FGM/C program is a digital storytelling project created by Silence Speaks and Sahiyo that aims to mobilize a critical mass of survivors and activists from across the globe. Voices to END FGM/C brings people together to share and heal from their experiences of FGM/C, to connect and grow as leaders in their own communities, and to create short videos calling for an end to this harmful practice. If you are interested in hosting a screening showcasing digital stories from Voices to End FGM/C with your own organization, with classmates, or with co-workers, check our new Voices to End FGM/C Screening Guide! This is an in-depth resource with discussion questions, FAQs, and event planning templates. For any questions related to this guide or our Voices program, please email aries@sahiyo.org.
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.
Voices to End FGM/C 2023 Cohort Video Screening
On Wednesday, March 27th at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET, Sahiyo will host a screening of the newest Voices to End FGM/C videos, which were developed through Sahiyo, Asian Women’s Shelter, and Silence Speaks, with survivors of and advocates against female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). In addition to viewing these nine poignant stories, attendees will get the chance to hear from some of the storytellers themselves about their work and journey. “I hope that my story will be a clarion call for folks to help me bring to light the need for medical care for hundreds of thousands of women who need help locally, nationally, and globally.” Doris Mukangu, Voices ‘23 Workshop Participant Date: March 27th Time: 10 AM PT/1 PM ET Registration link: https://bit.ly/Voices23Screening The Voices to End FGM/C Program is a digital storytelling project created by Silence Speaks and Sahiyo that aims to mobilize a critical mass of survivors and activists from across the globe. Voices to END FGM/C brings people together to share and heal from their experiences of FGM/C, to connect and grow as leaders in their own communities, and to create short videos calling for an end to this harmful practice. If you are interested in hosting a screening ofVoices to End FGM/C videos with your own organization, with classmates, or with coworkers, we are excited to announce the release of our Voices to End FGM/C Screening Guide. This is an in-depth resource with discussion questions, FAQs about FGM/C, and event planning templates. For any questions, related to this guide or our Voices program, please email aries@sahiyo.org
Zero Tolerance Day 2024: Her Voice, Her Future
On February 13th, the World Bank invited Sahiyo to host a screening of the Voices to End FGM/C Digital Storytelling Project in honor of International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting. During the virtual event, attendees from around the world watched nine videos from Voices to End FGM/C collection including videos from U.S. Executive Director Mariya Taher, and alumni Severina Lemachokoti and Renee Bergstrom. Afterward, all three discussed the healing nature of sharing one’s story, the challenges that come from speaking up, and the overall advocacy that is done to end FGM/C. To watch Severina’s digital story, click here. To watch Renee’s digital story, click here.
Voices to End FGM/C 2023 Cohort Video Screening
Date: March 27th Time: 10 AM PT/1 PM ET Registration link: https://bit.ly/Voices23Screening On Wednesday, March 27th at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET, Sahiyo will host a screening of the newest Voices to End FGM/C videos, which were developed through Sahiyo, Asian Women’s Shelter, and SilenceSpeaks, with survivors of and advocates against female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). In addition to viewing these nine poignant stories, attendees will get the chance to hear from some of the storytellers themselves about their work and journey. “I hope that my story will be a clarion call for folks to help me bring to light the need for medical care for hundreds of thousands of women who need help locally, nationally, and globally.” Doris Mukangu, Voices ‘23 Workshop Participant The Voices to End FGM/C Program is a digital storytelling project created by SilenceSpeaks and Sahiyo that aims to mobilize a critical mass of survivors and activists from across the globe. Voices to END FGM/C brings people together to share and heal from their experiences of FGM/C, to connect and grow as leaders in their own communities, and to create short videos calling for an end to this harmful practice. With the support of the Wallace Global Fund and the Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice, Sahiyo is currently designing a guide to equip you with the necessary tools to host meaningful educational screenings using videos from the Voices program. In the guide there are discussion prompts, FGM/C FAQ sheets, and event planning tools aimed at fostering deep engagement and inspiring action. For any questions, related to this upcoming guide or our Voices program, please email aries@sahiyo.org
Upcoming screening of the Fall 2022 Voices To End FGM/C digital stories
Our latest stories from the 7th Voices to End FGM/C Digital Storytelling Workshop have been released! Sahiyo, StoryCenter, and Asian Women’s Shelter will be hosting a screening of these newest videos next month on May 9th. Along with viewing these poignant stories, which detail the impacts FGM/C has had on our storytellers, attendees will get the chance to hear from the storytellers themselves.They will share their workshop experiences and reasons why they decided to tell the story they did, in support of education and advocacy initiatives to end FGM/C. Event Details: Date: Tuesday, May 9th, 2023Time: 4:00 to 5:30 pm ET / 1 to 2:30 pm PT Where: Virtual Zoom Webinar Registration: bit.ly/Fall2022VideoScreening
Voices to End FGM/C 2022: Spring Cohort Video Screening
Date: August 24th Time: 12 noon PDT, 3 PM EDT (U.S.) Registration link: https://bit.ly/Voices2022Screening On Wednesday, August 24th at 12 noon PDT / 3 PM EDT, Sahiyo will host a screening of the newest Voices to End FGM/C videos, which were developed through Sahiyo and StoryCenter’s Spring 2022 workshop with survivors of and advocates against female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). In addition to viewing these eight poignant stories, attendees will get the chance to hear from some of the storytellers themselves about their work and journey. “I have always wanted to tell my story so that I can tell another survivor ‘you are not alone,’ and I hope by educating others, by extension I can help save their daughters. After watching a couple of Sahiyo stories, I knew I needed to be one of the storytellers. I am so grateful for the opportunity accorded to me.” – Maryan, Voices to End FGM/C 2022 Spring Cohort Storyteller The Voices to End FGM/C Project is a digital storytelling project created by StoryCenter and Sahiyo that aims to mobilize a critical mass of storytellers and activists from across the globe. Voices brings people together to share and heal from their experiences of FGM/C, connect and grow as leaders in their own communities, and create short videos calling for an end to this harmful practice. For those who are interested, we are also accepting applications for our Fall 2022 Voices to End FGM/C workshop. Apply here.
Inaugural screening of Sahiyo Stories in California
On October 19 in Oakland, California, Sahiyo, in collaboration with StoryCenter, Asian Women’s Shelter, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence hosted a screening of Sahiyo Stories that included a behind the scenes short film documenting the women’s experiences in creating their digital stories. Sahiyo Stories involved bringing together nine women from across the United States to create personalized digital stories that narrate experiences of female genital cutting (FGC). These nine women, who differ in race/ethnicity, age, and citizenship/residency status, each shared a story addressing a different challenge with FGM/C. Some women who had only recently discovered they had undergone FGM/C were grappling with its emotional and physical impacts, while others were invested in advocacy to prevent it from happening to more girls. The collection is woven together with a united sentiment and a joint hope that the videos will build a critical mass of voices from within FGM/C-practicing communities, calling for the harmful practice’s abandonment. A panel discussion on female genital cutting followed the screening, and the greater connection FGC has to gender-based violence. To learn more about Sahiyo Stories, read: Seeing Sahiyo Stories on Female Genital Cutting Come to Life. The inner-workings of Sahiyo Stories The Making of Sahiyo Stories
Sahiyo Stories to host first screening in Oakland, California
On October 19 in Oakland, California, Sahiyo, in collaboration with StoryCenter, Asian Women’s Shelter, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence will host a screening of Sahiyo Stories with a behind the scenes short film documenting the women’s experiences in creating their digital stories, followed by a panel discussion on FGC. To RSVP for the event, visit http://bit.ly/SahiyoStoriesOct As a reminder, the project brought together nine women from across the United States to create personalized digital stories that narrate the experience of undergoing female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and/or the experience of their advocacy work to end this form of gender violence. You can watch all these brave women’s stories by visiting the Sahiyo Stories YouTube Playlist. If you’re interested in learning more about the project or hosting a screening of Sahiyo Stories, contact mariya@sahiyo.com