On International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Equality Now — an NGO that advocates for the rights and protection of women and girls around the world — released the trailer for “The Beginning.” Written and directed by Sahiyo’s co-founder Insia Dariwala, it’s the Asian continent’s first ever fiction film on Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting (FGM/C). Inspired by real survivors who underwent FGM/C as little girls, the film highlights the trauma many struggled with, long after the cut.
Equality Now’s Global Leader, Divya Srinivasan, who worked with Insia on producing the film said, “We believe that this thought-provoking piece evocatively demonstrates the struggles faced by a woman holding the dual experiences of being a survivor herself, while also being a mother who is expected to play a major role in continuing the practice with future generations.”
She also writes, “Since survivors of FGM/C in India broke the silence about this practice over seven years ago, there have been great strides towards prevention and eradication of FGM/C. The issue of FGM/C in India has been recognised in the Supreme Court and at international bodies; and there is greater awareness on the patriarchal nature and harmful effects of the practice within practicing communities, particularly amongst the younger generation.
However, we have a long way to go in the struggle to end FGM/C and we need more public conversations to change hearts and minds of all stakeholders, and prevention and response initiatives to ensure that we can move towards the goal of eradication.In partnership with Insia and Sahiyo, we hope that we can use this film to raise awareness on FGM/C in the country, particularly with young people; and to highlight FGM/C as a priority human rights issue that needs to be addressed by a range of stakeholders including the international community, medical associations, and CSOs working on ending gender-based violence in India."