- Date/Time: October 31, 2025
- Type: Virtual
This 90-minute panel will explore how participatory digital storytelling can foster survivor-centered healing, build organizational capacity, and drive systemic change in the context of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and broader gender-based violence (GBV). Drawing from a three-year collaborative project between Sahiyo, Asian Women’s Shelter (AWS), and Silence Speaks, panelists will share 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 will highlight 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 will feature multimedia digital stories from the Voices initiative and reflections from the project partners, including some of the survivors and advocates who created a digital story. Emphasis will be 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.
- Open or closed event: Closed to DST Conference attendees