Why did you want to attend the workshop and share your story?

I was interested in attending the workshop as it was the first one that I had come across that focused on survivors of FGM/C. I wanted to connect with other survivors and hear their stories, while also being able to share my own story with other survivors as well. I felt like it was going to be a journey for my healing process, which is still ongoing.

I wanted to share my story with the world so people can start to understand how this practice can affect a person both physically and mentally, I also wanted to share my story to help others. I've been an activist for years and had spoken against other topics, like arranged marriages for young girls and other horrible things, but never about FGM/C – never my personal story. Many of the young girls I try to help don’t always understand that I was in a similar situation to them and that I really know how they feel. That's another reason why I wanted to speak out – to make the young girls I help feel seen and heard.

What story did you choose to tell and create into a digital story?

I spoke about my experience with FGM/C and how I went through it unknowingly. 

I was around 12 or 13 years old when it happened. I spoke about the process of it – the pain of it, and the embarrassment of being exposed as a teenager to a group of adult women like that. Then later the misplaced excitement  as my community told me that being cut was something to be proud of. 

It would not be until much later in my life that I would realize what was taken from me, that I would fully understand the scope and depth of my trauma. It felt embarrassing to speak about it  for many years. Due to the fact that I was just beginning to come to terms with what had happened and because I was fearful of reactions from my community. I knew that if I spoke out against FGM/C, I would be criticized by both my community and those outside of it who did not understand the complexity of FGM/C.

I was living in denial really, of what happened to me, and I came to this realization that if I kept it inside, I would never heal from it. So that's [another reason] why I decided to share my story –to ensure that I get some healing. 

What have you learned or most enjoyed during the workshop and by meeting others who have shared their stories?

It was one of the best workshops I've had in several years. I've gone to other workshops where people just meet and they share powerful stories, but these ones were really impactful to me. The fact that these women have been deprived of their rights, but are still standing strong and coming out against the practice. It gave me a lot of strength and courage. Being able to mingle and talk with these women and create a bond of love and sisterhood between us was one of the most powerful parts of the workshop for me. 

I think the workshop has [also] helped me be more open to sharing my story with others. Before the workshop, I would just speak up against other forms of gender-based violence, even though I knew that FGM/C was wrong. Now after the workshop and speaking with other survivors, I feel more comfortable speaking on the topic.

However I’m still on my healing journey. I’m not 100% comfortable sharing my experience with everyone, particularly my brother and my community. Sometimes I worry about how they will react to my story once it’s out there – what will they say? But I also know that the more I tell the story, the easier it will get. That’s why I hope that the digital story will help me [explore] other platforms and connect me to other organizations also fighting this practice. 

What kind of impact would you like your story to have?

I want my story to open up the eyes of communities that still practice FGM/C and [shed light on] the effects and how traumatizing practice can be. When people look at us, we [seem] physically okay. We are driving, we are doctors, we are whatever…but something deep inside has been affected, been taken, and we need to acknowledge that. 

When you get to sit down with a woman that has gone through FGM/C, she may just burst out into tears when she tells you what she’s gone through because it has been buried deep within. So I would love my story to expose the emotional harm of the practice, and to give others an idea of how FGM/C affects a survivor for the rest of their lives. For example, going through the practice can make it difficult to form connections and relationships, because of embarrassment, sexual discomfort. In some cases, FGM/C makes it diffcult for women to have children. 

I will always feel that FGM/C took away my voice. It made me feel like I could not speak up boldly anymore. Now that I have shared my story, I feel more confident in helping others who have been through the practice. I would want my story to empower people out there to speak up as well.

Is there anything from your digital story that you would like to share here?

Yes, I would like to talk about the person who is the reason for me being able to share my story in the first place– my partner. He’s always been very supportive of me and my work, [and] he’s been a really positive force in my life. So when I heard about the workshop I told him about it. I was a little hesitant to attend, but he really convinced me to go and he encouraged me to speak up without fear. If I didn’t have his reassurance and support, I’m so sure that I would never have felt brave enough to speak about my experience.

Emily Lerosion is a Samburu Indigenous woman leader originally from Laikipia North, Kenya, now based in Washington State. In addition to her roles as a wife and mother, she is a dedicated development worker and a passionate human rights activist, focusing her advocacy on the rights of women, girls, and vulnerable children. She proudly represents several prestigious organizations, including CIVICUS World Alliance, the UN Global Indigenous Youth Caucus, and the Universal Periodic Review Kenya team, while also contributing as a member of the Women and Gender Constituency. Her academic background includes graduating from the Deep Democracy Institute as a Trainer of Trainers and completing the 8th edition of the FIMI Global Leadership School, along with a degree in Advocacy and Human Rights from Columbia University. She has started a new role as an Advisory Committee Member for the Washington State FGM/C Project. She firmly believes in the transformative power of collective action, emphasizing that “Women can make a real difference, only if they team up, stand up for their voices, and act.”

By Elaina Baliner

Sahiyo’s Fundraising and Auction Intern Elaina Baliner is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with a minor in Biology. A passionate global health equity advocate, Elaina actively seeks to maximize positive impact and close health equity gaps. Recently Elaina sat down with Sahiyo's Editorial Assistant, Megan Seaver, to discuss the connection between Sahiyo's mission to end FGC and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals? 

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs), are the 17 benchmarks set by the UN in order to achieve peace and prosperity for both people and the planet. These goals center on a One Health approach, meaning that the health of people, planet, and animals all intersect with each other. They are designed to break silos within the UN, addressing a longstanding issue of treating personal health, animal health, and planetary health as separate concerns rather than recognizing them as inherently interconnected.

The SDGs are critical in guiding the global effort to push for a better world, addressing a range of interconnected challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. For Sahiyo, the goals that are most closely aligned to our mission of ending FGC are: SGD 3 Good Health and Well-being for All, and SDG 5 Gender Equality — specifically target 5.3 — which calls for the elimination of all harmful practices, including FGC. 

How do the goals of Good Health and Wellbeing for All, and Gender Equality, relate to Sahiyo’s mission?

Sahiyo aligns with SDG 3, Good Health and Wellbeing for all, by advocating for the health rights of women and girls. FGC can lead to severe health complications such as chronic pain, infections, increased risk in child rearing complications, psychological trauma, and so much more. By raising awareness of FGC, Sahiyo also shines a light on the physical, mental, and social issues that the practice causes. 

Sahiyo also works closely with healthcare professionals to ensure that when survivors do seek care for complications related to FGC, the care they receive is culturally sensitive and wholly beneficial for the survivor. 

SDG 5, Gender Equality, is at the heart of Sahiyo's work. The third target of SDG 5, also referred to as SDG 5.3, calls for the elimination of FGC. By providing resources and skills to communities affected by FGC, Sahiyo uplifts survivors’ voices, helping them to share their stories with the world and providing a space for narrative autonomy, which is crucial in promoting gender equality.

Why do you think it’s important that Sahiyo ensure that its projects and programs connect to these goals outlined by the UN?

Connecting our work to the UN goals situates FGC within a broader global context, highlighting that it is not merely a local or regional issue, but a critical matter of international concern. 

Additionally, aligning with the SDGs ensures that our projects are contributing to measurable, impactful change. The SDGs provide a framework for tracking progress and accountability, allowing us to demonstrate the effectiveness of our interventions in a globally recognized manner.

Finally, by aligning with these goals, we can better advocate for the necessary support and resources to expand our impact, demonstrating that our efforts to end FGC and protect women and girls are part of the collective global movement toward a more equitable and healthier future for all.

Do you think that the UN is doing enough to address FGC?

The UN has made significant strides in addressing FGC through initiatives like the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM and the joint UNFPA-UNICEF program. While these efforts have been impactful, there is a pressing need for the UN to expand its scope and reach. The movement to end FGC must be a global one, requiring the UN to broaden its programs to include populations in Western countries and additional nations beyond the current focus on African and Middle Eastern countries in order to meet the 2030 goal of ending the practice. So, while the UN's efforts have reached millions, leveraging their resources to expand this movement can drive even greater impact, ensuring no woman or girl is left behind in the fight against FGC.

What are some programs and initiatives that Sahiyo has done that you think connect to these goals?

One of the programs that has touched me the most is Sahiyo’s Voices to End FGM/C initiative. This initiative empowers survivors, particularly from underrepresented communities, to share their stories through digital narratives. Their bravery in speaking out, often against cultural expectations, helps break the silence around FGC, fostering empathy and creating the foundation for real social change.

Moreover, Sahiyo's focus on movement building is deeply aligned with both the SDGs and the UN’s joint program’s efforts to create a global movement against FGC. Through initiatives like our Activists Retreat, survivor-led policy coalitions, and technical training seminars, Sahiyo has found that as more people speak out and stimulate dialogue, we reach a threshold where change becomes more likely. By building this coalition of voices—survivors, advocates, and community members—we generate powerful momentum toward ending the practice.

What are some ways that you would address these goals and Sahiyo's mission?

A significant way that Sahiyo could further address SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) is by expanding our healthcare provider training program into a comprehensive, adaptable curriculum suitable for both medical schools and continuing education for practicing healthcare professionals. On the research front, Sahiyo has conducted meaningful studies on prevalence, cultural intersections, and survivor narratives, addressing critical data gaps identified by the UN as obstacles to ending the practice. To build on this foundation, pursuing economic impact research would be a powerful next step, providing critical data to inform policy and advocacy. These initiatives are within Sahiyo’s reach and reflect our commitment to addressing SDG 3 and SDG 5. However, realizing them requires the support and resources that come from our community and donors. It is through collective action that we can continue to empower survivors, educate communities, and drive sustainable change.

If you or someone you know wants to impact our work to end FGC, then we invite you to click the link below and make a donation to Sahiyo. It is through donations like yours that our work is possible. 

Donate Here.

By The Anole Sister

Being an Anole Sisters member, I am an FGM/C survivor. For the past four decades, I have lived with this experience. Since 2015, I have been advocating for and raising awareness about FGM/C along with other survivors, women, and girls at risk. However, I had never shared my story publicly until I joined the Sahiyo Voices to End FGM/C workshop in 2024.

At the workshop, I created a video and shared a story from my childhood that had been buried deep within me. This act of sharing not only inspired me but also resonated with many in the audience, breaking a long-held silence. Now, I feel much more empowered to encourage others to share their stories, to let go, and to continue advocating against FGM/C. I used to be nervous about sharing my story with other people, but not anymore. I love my story, that's why I chose to tell it and attend the workshop. 

I also wanted to attend the workshop so that I could hear other people's stories, and so that we could learn from each other. I want my story to bring awareness to the issue and to the community. I also want people who don’t know about the practice to learn more about FGM/C, so more people might share stories that are similar to mine. In this workshop, I really enjoyed learning, and listening to all the stories of the other participants, each of which are different and important. 

My advocacy is something that will never stop. We still have a lot of sisters who have been through this practice. I want to help them speak about that and encourage others to share their experiences too, so that people can learn about FGM/C. I also want to continue my advocacy because I want this program to continue. There are a lot of sisters back home who have never shared their stories and it’s very important for them to come together and learn from each other.

My story is my own, and no one can hold me back from sharing it.

By Maryam Kamal Eldin

When I first heard about the Sahiyo Activist Retreat, I knew I had to be a part of it. The retreat presented a unique opportunity for me to connect with others who shared the same commitment to ending female genital cutting (FGC) as I did. For years, I’d been passionate about advocating for survivors and raising awareness about this deeply rooted issue. 

My journey in this movement began in Egypt, where I worked alongside pioneering activists like Nawal El Saadawi, who fearlessly challenged the cultural and systemic roots of FGC. Being part of that movement shaped my understanding of the complexities surrounding this practice and inspired me to continue the fight on a global scale.

As I’ve shifted my focus to the United States, I’ve realized that the movement here is still relatively small and in its early stages of growth, unlike in Egypt, where discussions about FGC have been ongoing for almost a century. This retreat felt like a pivotal moment for the movement against FGC in the U.S., as it brought together passionate individuals who are laying the foundation for a larger, more coordinated effort.

A Space to Learn and Grow

One of the most valuable aspects of the retreat was the sense of community it fostered. Meeting other activists from diverse backgrounds who are all working toward the same goal as me was incredibly inspiring. I was struck by how everyone brought their own unique perspectives and experiences, yet we all shared a common purpose: to create a world free from FGC.

The workshops and discussions were particularly impactful. I learned about new strategies for community outreach, effective ways to engage with policymakers, and how to use storytelling as a powerful tool for change. I also appreciated the safe space created during the retreat, which allowed us to have honest and sometimes difficult conversations about cultural norms, challenges, and the complexities of addressing FGC within our different communities.

The diversity of experiences shared during the retreat reminded me of the Egyptian women and their family members, many of whom shared harrowing stories of survival. Their resilience and courage continues to fuel my advocacy today, and it was heartening to see those same qualities reflected in the activists at the retreat.

My Journey in the Movement

My involvement in the movement to end FGC stems from a deeply personal place. Witnessing the impact of FGC on individuals and communities in Egypt and beyond has fueled my desire to be part of the solution. Working alongside Nawal El Saadawi taught me the importance of integrating education, advocacy, and storytelling to address this issue from all angles.

In the U.S., the movement faces unique challenges. Many people are unaware that FGC even happens here, or they view it as a problem that exists only in other countries. Advocates often struggle to secure funding and attention for the issue, which makes it difficult to build momentum. This retreat, however, showed me that even though the movement in the U.S. is small, it is growing—and the commitment and passion of those involved give me hope for its future.

Building on the Momentum

The retreat has profoundly shaped how I view my role as an activist. It reminded me of the importance of self-care and collective support in sustaining this work. I left feeling more confident in my ability to navigate the challenges that come with advocacy and more determined than ever to push for change.

Moving forward, I plan to incorporate what I’ve learned from the retreat into my ongoing projects. I am currently working on community workshops that address the intergenerational effects of FGC, and I hope to expand my efforts by collaborating with local schools and clinics to create safe spaces for survivors to share their experiences. The connections I made at the retreat will be instrumental in helping me achieve these goals.

A Call to Action

The Sahiyo Activists Retreat has been a transformative experience that I will carry with me for many years to come. It reminded me that while the road to ending FGC is challenging, we are not walking it alone.

The movement to end FGC in the U.S. is still small, but it is growing—and it needs all of us to help it flourish.  Sharing your story, educating your community, or supporting survivor-led efforts, every action makes a difference. Together, with shared knowledge, resources, and determination, we can create lasting change.

If you’re considering attending a future retreat or getting involved in the movement, I encourage you to take that step. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or have been involved for years, there’s always something new to learn and ways to grow.

To my fellow activists: thank you for your courage, your voices, and your unwavering commitment to this cause. Together, we are stronger.

Why did you want to attend the workshop and share your story?

I've had the opportunity to talk about my experience with female genital mutilation (FGM) and the ways in which it has impacted my life and my community. However, finding a platform that allows me to take ownership of my story—and have autonomy and control over the things that I share—is rare. So, when I heard about this opportunity, I thought it was amazing that there was a workshop where I could tell my story on my own terms.

What story did you choose to tell and create into a digital story?

My story was told in multiple parts. I talked about how FGM affects sexual intimacy; how it led me to become a child's rights activist; and how it has shaped my work as a human rights advocate. My story also reflects how I see FGM as something that does not define me because there are so many other wonderful aspects of my life. I don’t like being called a victim because I’m not—I am a survivor, that's how I define myself. I have gone on in life to achieve amazing things. I was part of the movement that led to the ban on FGM in The Gambia, and continue to be involved in protecting this ban. More recently, I have been involved in efforts to maintain the ban when it was threatened with repeal by Parliament. While this effort was successful, there is still more work to be done. We need to ensure the law remains in place to prevent a reoccurrence of the challenges we faced in the past several months. Additionally, we need to make sure that the law is fully implemented and enforced while continuously engaging with communities on the importance of sustaining the law. 

What have you learned or most enjoyed during the workshop and by meeting others who shared their stories?

What I enjoyed the most about the workshop was the safe space created for us.  This was particularly important to me because, although most of us were survivors of FGM, our experiences and stories were different. I was glad that we could all talk about our journeys on our own terms. I also appreciated the welcoming environment, which allowed everyone, including non-survivors, to share their voices. This openness, I believe, made it comfortable and safe for everyone to be vulnerable and share their thoughts and feelings. It’s like we created our own community as we held space for one another while bearing witness to each other’s stories as they were told. I also appreciated and valued the accommodations made to ensure that all participants had the best possible experience. It’s things like this that made the workshop a special and meaningful space to be a part of.  

What kind of impact would you like your story to have? 

I want people to start looking at survivors as people who have a voice—as people who have the right to share their stories and deserve to do so with dignity on their own terms. I also hope to inspire more people to get involved in the advocacy to end FGM. Through my story, I want people to understand the life-changing impact this practice has on women and girls. I want others to recognize the irreparable harm it causes in many different ways and understand why this practice must end.

Is there anything in your digital story that you would like to share?

I’d like to share this: if we don't take an intersectional approach in addressing FGM, we risk perpetuating even more problems and causing significant harm. For example, if the ban against FGM in The Gambia can be threatened, so can other laws prohibiting gender and sexual violance, such as the anti-child marriage law. We need to ensure that when we talk about FGM, we frame it within the broader context of all other forms of gender-based violence and oppression because, in many ways, they are all interconnected. 

Musu Bakoto Sawo is a feminist human rights lawyer with over 18 years of experience in children’s and women's rights advocacy and activism. She holds a Master of Laws in Human Rights and Democratization in Africa and a Master of Global Affairs in International Peace Studies and Gender Studies. With over 10 years of leadership experience in program and policy development, advocacy, and fundraising, Musu has made significant contributions to non-profit organizations as well as public institutions in The Gambia and across the African continent.

Musu is also the recipient of numerous international and African human rights awards, including the 2018 Commonwealth Points of Light from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; the 2020 Daily Trust African of the Year; and the Vera Chirwa Award from the Center for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. All these awards recognize her work for women and girls in The Gambia and beyond, particularly in relation to harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). Her advocacy efforts contributed to the enactment of the legislation that banned both FGM and child marriage in The Gambia.

By Aarefa Johari

On October 26, 2024, Sahiyo hosted a Thaal Pe Charcha, or TPC, event in Mumbai.

TPC is Sahiyo's flagship program initiated by the Sahiyo team in India, bringing small groups of community members together in safe spaces to have conversations about female genital cutting (FGC) while bonding over a traditional Bohra “thaal” meal. Since 2017, Sahiyo has organized 13 TPC events in Mumbai and Pune in India and two in the United States, reaching nearly 100 participants. 

Our October event was special for many reasons. First, it was an in-person TPC event that we were able to host after nearly a two-year break. We had 12 participants from across Mumbai from different backgrounds and professions, with some in their early 20s and others as old as 80. A few were attending TPC for the first time and shared poignant stories about their experiences with FGC. 

Second, this TPC was organized in partnership with our friends at Equality Now, who not only supported the event itself but also produced “The Beginning.” A short fiction film on FGC written and directed by Sahiyo co-founder Insia Dariwala, “The Beginning” is about the trauma and dilemma of a Bohra mother whose daughter is set to undergo FGC.

During October’s TPC, we watched the film together, and it evoked a range of emotions from participants. A survivor of FGC said she could strongly identify with the story of the protagonist, while a male participant found himself relating to the pressures placed on the protagonist’s husband. Others discussed the many ways in which the film highlighted the nuances of community dynamics that make it difficult to take a stand against FGC. 

At the end of the TPC event, young participants in particular said that the film encouraged them to have conversations about ending FGC with more community members. This feedback, for us, was the most fulfilling takeaway from the event.