In Dawoodi Bohra culture, traditional meals are eaten from a ‘thaal’ – an enormous plate, raised on a short stool, around which eight or nine people can sit and share food. At weddings, festivals and other community events, dining together around a thaal has always been a uniquely Bohra way to meet new people, socialise, and bond with friends. 

Since 2017, the thaal has also been the foundation of Sahiyo’s flagship program for community engagement: ‘Thaal Pe Charcha’ or TPC. Loosely translated as ‘discussions over food’, the TPC program provides safe, survivor-centred spaces for community members to share their experiences about female genital cutting, all while bonding over a traditional thaal meal. 

At TPC events, participants share their stories and feelings about Khatna, support each other, ask questions, discuss the nuances of FGC and find common ground to work collectively towards ending the practice. Eating around the thaal helps break social barriers, making it an ideal setting to initiate conversations on such a sensitive topic.

As of 2025, Sahiyo has organised 18 TPC events, reaching more than 255 participants. The majority of these gatherings have been in India: 12 in Mumbai, one each in Pune and Ahmedabad, and two virtual TPCs for Bohras across the country. Two TPC events were also held in the U.S. Most participants are Dawoodi Bohra women across different age groups, but men, too, have enthusiastically participated in the program.  

• Community Dialogue: TPC provides education and communication strategies that participants have successfully used to discuss FGC with their families. According to one participant: