By Lubaina Plumber

I remember being 21-years-old, a wide-eyed, aspiring human rights lawyer in Bombay (Mumbai for those who don’t properly identify with the ethos and pulse of the city that never sleeps) when I first stumbled upon, completely accidentally, the grave violation of female genital cutting (FGC). Suddenly, it all came rushing back to me. The event, the place, the people, the gross invasion of my body, my privacy and my rights. I froze in time to realize that this was not just a human rights issue I was researching for a work project, but also something I had survived as a meek 8-year-old child. 

Through this enlightenment came my connection to Sahiyo. Whilst all concerns around the protection and rights of human beings were within my realm of redressal, I knew at that moment that FGC was personal and  a cause I felt deeply triggered by. This harmful practice angered me not only for every single person who endured it, but also for myself and my own experience. Once something becomes personal to you, it is seldom something you can let go of. Advocating against FGC and creating safe spaces for survivors and allies to engage in open dialogue and sharing became a primary focus for me, ultimately leading me to finally attend the Sahiyo in-person Activists Retreat in 2023. My activism and journey came full circle when I sat around the beautiful living room of a fellow Sahiyo member who graciously hosted a group of passionate, remarkable people in her home. 

The moment I landed in Atlanta, I remember feeling slightly nervous. I had just immigrated to the United States six months prior and this was my first interaction with a group outside of my small workplace. I felt I was venturing out in an unfamiliar country to discuss deeply personal things. After spending three glorious days with the other participants, I can say I have now found people that feel as familiar as my own (brb, wiping tears).

I’d be lying if I said I did not thoroughly enjoy the delicious meals, warm hospitality, and thoughtful welcome package/goodie bags as well. But what stood out most were the conversations I had with everybody present, about FGC and about everything else just the same. The Retreat was extremely well-planned and executed even better. I am a staunch proponent of open, authentic, non-judgemental spaces, and the Activists Retreat delivered on all fronts: confidentiality, comfort, and thoughtful sharing. I assumed I knew everything about FGC, given my extensive preoccupation with the issue, but I gleaned SO MUCH from this experience. The toolkits, guest speakers, group activities, and personal anecdotes of others were tremendously enlightening; they helped keep me apprised of the global discourse on FGC. I felt I was not alone in this peculiar world, feeling intensely passionate about issues important to me; there are other kindred souls out there too. The sense of sisterhood, profound empathy, and unadulterated opportunity to be vulnerable is what I will cherish for a long time to come. 

I am hopeful for the future. For myself and millions of affected individuals needing a platform, a team, an understanding ear, and tangible redressal measures. I discovered I could visit an OBGYN in the United States and share that I underwent cutting, inquiring exactly how my body differs. This notion would not have even crossed my mind before attending the Activists Retreat. I have become even more vocal, forthcoming, and resolved in my mission to mitigate FGC. I have initiated difficult dialogues, broaching the subject with adequate context. I have learned to be patient with ignorance (still letting out the odd sigh and eye roll), gentle yet assertive with the uninformed, and fierce with those who willfully endorse these violations against people/children with or without family consent. I do not take no for an answer when it comes to educating somebody on FGC and that courage has grown knowing there is a whole community who will back me up with loving reinforcement when I need that gentle push. Thank you team Sahiyo for including me in your passion, purpose and party! SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT YEAR :)

Learn more about Sahiyo’s Activists Retreat here.

On November 21st, Sahiyo’s Research Coordinator, Rachel Wine, and Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, Aries Nuño, presented findings from the first stage of Sahiyo’s Critical Intersections Research Project to The Girl Generation. The findings, published in the Examining the Current State of Critical Intersections: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting and Social Oppressions report in October, were derived from a scoping review on the topic of intersectionality. More specifically, this report explores connections between the anti-female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) sphere and other social justice movements, as well as the complex identities of survivors and activists, through an array of literature such as peer-reviewed literature, editorials, opinion pieces, reviews, and social media communications.

The presentation shared background information on the Critical Intersections Research Project, tracing its roots back to Sahiyo’s 2021 public webinar titled Critical Intersections: Anti-Racism and Female Genital Cutting (FGC). Additionally, the presentationexplored the seven core themes derived from our scoping review: Religion, Race, Bodily Autonomy, Queer Gender & Sexuality, Feminism, Law & Policy, and Climate Change, highlighting  how they intersect with FGM/C. Lastly, Aries and Rachel detailed the next steps for the project, including the publication of two reports on original mixed-methods research, expected in 2024.

The Sahiyo team was thrilled to be met with questions from The Girl Generation about the various core themes derived from the research, as well as some findings to be shared in the upcoming reports. Many thanks to Esmael Omar for helping make this opportunity a reality!

If you or your organization are interested in hosting a presentation on Sahiyo’s Critical Intersections Research Project, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

On December 13th from 12-2:30 PM (Malaysia time), Sahiyo India is participating in a media training workshop with Equality Now and Kalyanamitra. The workshop’s aim is to sensitize journalists and media practitioners reporting on the prevalence of FGM/C in Asia in an effective way. 

The practice of FGM/C has been recorded in Asian countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Maldives, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Sri Lanka, and India. Though widespread, the practice of FGM/C that occurs in Asia continues to receive little  acknowledgement, and so does Asia as a region affected by the practice. This dissonance continues to be found in official statistics as well. For example, according to UNICEF, at least 200 million girls and women alive today and in 31 countries have undergone FGM/C. However, this does not represent the accurate picture as it is based only on data from nationally representative surveys. FGM/C is actually known to take place in at least 92 countries worldwide. (Orchid Project)

This combined workshop and discussion event will present an overview of fundamental details about FGM/C in Asia. The discussion module will significantly help participants to better understand what constitutes 'good' or 'bad' FGM/C media coverage, how to ideate better and pitch more effective FGM/C-related pieces, and how to interact with and represent FGM/C survivors in Asia sensitively.

Sahiyo India will be represented by Priya Goswami, a co-founder of Sahiyo as well as a co-founder and CEO of the Mumkin App, which aims to use technology to help survivors of gender-based violence. Priya is also the recipient of a National Film Award for her documentary 'A Pinch of Skin,' the first documentary from India to speak about the practice of FGM/C. Through the lens of a filmmaker and a communication designer, she will discuss safe and survivor-centric practices for depicting FGM/C.  

Please email us to receive the registration link for the session at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or to Shruti Sharada at Equality Now at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We’re thrilled to share an exciting update from our Voices to End FGM/C project - our NEW podcast! 

Since 2017, this project has brought together 70 storytellers from 20+ countries. While they crafted powerful short videos during our workshops, so much of their narratives remained unexplored. If you’ve always wanted to know more about FGM/C, or if you’re wondering why, as a feminist or social justice activist, you should care about the topic, tune in now.

Our podcast journey begins with the release of:

• Episode Zero: Inspiration
• Episode One: Anger and Healing 
• Episode Two: The Grebo Bush 

LISTEN NOW: Episodes are available on the Voices to End FGM/C website, as well as on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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. 

As 2023 comes to an end, we want to take a moment to thank you for all your kindness and support. We’ve made great progress educating communities on the harms of female genital cutting (FGC) and supporting survivors to heal. 

We need your help to reach our goal of raising $5,000 by the end of the year. Every dollar counts. A gift of just $25 can make a difference for survivors of FGC and prevent it for future generations.

When you make a donation to Sahiyo, you’re committing to support our mission to empower Asian and other communities to end FGC. You help create positive social change through dialogue, education, and collaboration based on community involvement.

Thank you for your support!

In October 2023, Sahiyo’s Community Engagement Coordinator Samman Masud as well as long-time Sahiyo volunteer and Activists Retreat planning committee member Umme Kulsoom Arif attended the 2023 Peer-to-Peer National American Rescue Plan (ARP) Convening in Washington D.C. 

The three-day convention welcomed representatives from over 40 non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. to join other grantees of the ARP Support for Survivors Program. Sahiyo U.S. was awarded as one of the subgrantees in April 2023 to build out its promising Activists Retreat program. A sub-grant under the 2021 American Rescue Plan Grant, the ARP Support for Survivors Program caters to culturally-specific, community-based projects for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault from Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Communities in the U.S. and the Pacific. 

Leadership from various organizations led plenary sessions to address accomplishments and challenges involved in survivor-centered relief work for under-served and underrepresented communities of color impacted by gender-based violence. In addition to attending presentations and workshops, Sahiyo representatives received opportunities to network with other organizations through a variety of events including a cultural evening, an interactive Indian dance performance, a Paraguayan bottle dance, and a Native American closing ceremony to conclude the gathering.

“The ARP convention was an eye-opening experience. I listened to speakers from the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, SCESA, and Ujima, among many others. I understood the impact of investment in organizations that seek to address the very unique needs of communities of color impacted by gender-based violence. Already vulnerable due to the intersecting systems of violence and power structures that continue to marginalize communities of color in the U.S., survivors often need culturally sensitive approaches to address domestic violence, sexual abuse, and female genital cutting (FGC). To hear the accomplishments and challenges of groups engaged in this work revealed the potential of grassroots level advocacy and community-led organizations. While there is a lot of work to be done in the gender-based violence space, the feminist solidarity I saw at the convention gave me immense hope about what this growing network can achieve: a future free from violence for all people.” -Samman Masud

By Samman Masud

In September 2023, activists, survivors of female genital cutting (FGC), and community members from the Bohra community came from all over the U.S. to gather in-person at Sahiyo’s 6th annual Activists Retreat. This three-day affair, in Atlanta, Georgia, brought together individuals belonging to the Bohra community to deepen relationships with one another, increase knowledge on FGC, and gain tools on how to advocate against FGC. This year, as in the past, the Retreat was filled with presentations, educational videos, group discussions, action planning sessions, and self-care activities. 

During the Retreat, survivors and community members were able to reflect on their personal experiences and connection with FGC in a safe and supportive environment, explore advocacy strategies, and discuss challenges they face in trying to discuss FGC. 

Having recently joined Sahiyo in August 2023 as their Community Engagement Coordinator, this was my first time attending the Activists Retreat. Although I assisted Sahiyo staff and volunteers to prepare educational materials in the weeks leading up to the retreat, I arrived in Atlanta not knowing what to expect from the attendees at the retreat.

To say that the three days I spent with other activists in Atlanta were humbling and inspiring would be an understatement. While I had read academic papers and participated in discussions about FGC in class settings during graduate school, I had little knowledge about the prevalence of FGC within Bohra diaspora communities in the U.S -- something I developed an in-depth understanding of from the presentations and survivor testimonies at the retreat. Listening to survivors who were Bohra recount their experiences with FGC, and other Bohra activists at the retreat reaffirmed to me the significance of community-led movements. I noticed that the activists, from various age groups and diverse personal and professional backgrounds were able to comfortably share their experiences of FGC and anti-FGC activism in a safe space–one that was void of ‘othering’ or Islamophobic narratives that are often invoked by human rights organizations when communities of color discuss gender-based violence. 

It was promising to see that the activists, despite their personal and professional commitments, took out time to be with other like-minded individuals to learn, and restrategize how to best address FGC within their communities to achieve lasting results. Together, we participated in workshops, engaged in difficult but important conversations, which were followed by self-care activities like journaling exercises or yoga at the patio that allowed us to unwind and relax.

We concluded this year’s Activists Retreat with individualized and group action plans to improve anti-FGC advocacy efforts and left with renewed commitments for our cause. As Sahiyo develops our Activists Retreat program in the future we hope to expand this program to other communities impacted by FGC.