The 12th International Digital Storytelling Conference (DST2025 and also known as the 1st International Conference on Social Technologies of Memory) took place in October and November 2025 with virtual and in-person events in São Paulo, Brazil. Sahiyo, Asian Women’s Shelter (AWS), and Silence Speaks co-presented a session that explored how participatory digital storytelling can advance survivor-centered healing, build organizational capacity, and drive systemic change in the context of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and gender-based violence (GBV).
Drawing from our three-year collaboration, the panelists shared insights on using culturally grounded, trauma-informed methods to support FGM/C survivors and building the capacity of GBV organizations to provide trauma-informed support.
Panelists highlighted how survivor-created media has been used as a tool for professional development, cross-sector training, and outreach across healthcare, crisis response, and community-based organizations. The session also featured multimedia digital stories from the Voices to End FGM/C initiative and live reflections from two Voices alumni. Emphasis was placed on strategies for using digital storytelling to deepen community trust, bridge the gap between FGM/C and mainstream GBV services, and co-create sustainable systems of support.
Watch the recording of the webinar below!
