We are pleased to announce our upcoming Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C) 101 Training on May 23rd at 10:30AM-12:00PM Pacific/ 1:30PM-3:00PM Eastern. This session will delve into the hidden realities of FGM/C as a form of gender-based violence, particularly focusing on its impact in Washington State and surrounding areas.

Zoom Registration: https://bit.ly/May23FGMCTraining   

Event Highlights:

• Understanding FGM/C: Explore the complexities of FGM/C and its secretive nature.
• Health Impacts: Learn about the severe, lifelong health consequences for impacted women and girls.
• Data and Research: Discuss the crucial role of data, research, and community engagement in crafting effective support and prevention strategies.
• Domestic Focus: Take a closer look at the prevalence of FGM/C in the U.S., and more specifically in Washington and nearby metropolitan areas.

This training is designed for community members, stakeholders, healthcare providers, and anyone interested in learning more about FGM/C and building an awareness of how to support individuals impacted the practice. 

If you want to invite Sahiyo to present at your community event or classroom, fill out this interest form. Please contact, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions about our community outreach and education programs. 

On April 23rd, 2024, Sahiyo U.S., in collaboration with the Washington Department of Health, Mother Africa, and the U.S. End FGM/C Network, convened a significant gathering at Greenriver College, Kent Campus. The event, titled "Prevention & Response: How to Protect Washington’s Children & Support Survivors & Communities Impacted by Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting," marked a pivotal day in our ongoing efforts to combat FGM/C in Washington State, following the enactment of Senate Bill 5453 in April of 2023.

This legislation, which was a critical step in addressing FGM/C, was made possible through the tireless efforts of advocates from the Washington Coalition, as well as legislative champions such as Senator Karen Keiser. Their participation in the event brought invaluable insights and highlighted the collaborative spirit that supported the law's passage.

The day was filled with meaningful discussions, beginning with an overview of FGM/C and its impact in Washington, followed by a deep dive into the legislative framework provided by the WA DOH, setting the stage for community stakeholders, from healthcare, government, nonprofit sectors, and community-based organizations to share their insights for the potential direction of the project. Most importantly, the voices of survivors and community members impacted by FGM/C were at the forefront of this discussion, guiding our conversations and strategies. Read the KUOW article, “Coalition Against FGM Supports Victims in Washington State,” to learn more!

We are grateful to all who participated and contributed their knowledge and experiences to this event. If you have any questions and want to learn more about and how to get involved with this project, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

On April 25th, our Sahiyo community came together for a deeply engaging webinar, joined by participants from across the globe including the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Switzerland, Myanmar, and India. The event, titled "Quiet Activism and Understanding the Psychosocial Impacts of Female Genital Cutting," brought together a panel of inspiring speakers: Arefa Cassoobhoy, Farrah Dalal, Doris Mukangu, and Lubaina Plumber. Each shared their personal stories of activism and reflected on how their work has evolved during different stages of their lives. 

Our speakers opened up about their unique journeys, discussing the “quiet” or private forms of activism that shape their day-to-day lives. They discussed navigating complex psychosocial contexts—ranging from family dynamics to community backlash—and shared valuable insights on the feeling of burnout and fatigue as well as the importance of fostering allyship while prioritizing mental health and wellbeing. We encourage you to watch the full webinar to hear more about their experiences with initiating sensitive conversations within tight-knit communities and leveraging personal stories to foster understanding and empathy. 

The warmth and engagement from our audience were palpable, with many expressing their eagerness to dive deeper into the topics of quiet activism and the sense of solidarity, resonating deeply with the speakers. One attendee captured the sentiment beautifully, saying, "I am in awe of you young ladies. I applaud you all for the steps you have taken and how you have dealt with your experiences. Keep up your great work and what you are doing. My heart is with you."

This event reminds us of the power of community and the impact of every thoughtful action in our shared cause. 

By Sheena Vasani and Mariya Taher

It’s hard to believe, but in monetary terms, all it could take to avert one case of FGM/C is $95 – roughly the cost many of us pay for a year or so of Netflix. Despite that fact, one of the reasons female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is on the rise worldwide is because of a lack of adequate funding. 

How is that possible?

That’s one of the many questions Sahiyo and other members of The Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C coalition explored on March 15th during a parallel event at the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68). Hosted by the Global Platform coalition in partnership with the United States Mission to the United Nations, the “From Rhetoric to Reality: Closing the Funding Gap to End FGM/C” event sought to educate, mobilize, and inspire stakeholders from around the world with innovative ways to close the gap. 

Speakers included experts and influential change-makers from around the world, including:

• Wisal Ahmed, Global Coordinator of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
• Asenath Mwithigah,  the CEO of Orchid Project 
• Susan Gibbs/Sarah Roma, Director of the Women's Rights Program at Wallace Global Fund
• Stephanie Baric, Senior Gender-Based Violence Technical Advisor (FGM/C & CEFMU), USAID's Office of Gender Equality & Women's Empowerment  
• Sharon Armstrong, the Director-General of the Social Development Bureau at Global Affairs Canada

Jaha Dukureh, the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for Africa on FGM and child marriage, was unable to attend as she was in The Gambia working to keep a law banning FGM alive. However, she still shared with us a short video message addressing funding needs and awareness about the situation in The Gambia. Meanwhile, international conceptual artist Sophia Wallace — who is well-known for her viral project Cliteracy —also donated her art to the event.

As a part of the event, Sahiyo and others presented some eye-opening – and at times, jaw-dropping – findings. 

For example, the world has seen a 15 percent increase in the total number of FGM/C survivors compared to data released in 2016, according to UNICEF data presented at the event. That equates to an additional 30 million people, meaning a total of 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM/C.

Because of this, FGM/C rates must decline globally 27 times faster if we hope to eliminate the practice by 2030. We also need $3.3 billion just to avert 24.6 million FGM/C cases in 31 priority countries by 2030, a UNFPA report reveals. Yet as only $275 million in development assistance will be spent between 2020-2030, that leaves a funding gap of over $2.1 billion. And that’s just for the 31 countries the report focused on – not the additional 60+ countries where FGC is also practiced.

It’s safe to say the situation is pretty dire.

And yet despite all those numbers, the event also gave us reasons to have hope. The event sought to bring together various stakeholders and government figures to help elevate conversation and commitment toward closing the funding gap.  To that end, we promoted the Kigali Declaration, specifically calling for a Global Commitment Summit to significantly increase funding for FGM/C prevention and response efforts worldwide – and especially shift funding directly toward frontline, grassroots activists.

UNICEF data reveals that half of the progress made in the last three decades happened in just the past 10 years alone. This rapid change reflects changing attitudes towards FGM/C – in other words, efforts by organizations like Sahiyo to change social norms are working.

But to get rid of FGM/C sooner rather than later, we also need increased funding – and now. Join us in calling on governments and donors worldwide to put their money where their mouth is – sign and share the Kigali Declaration with your network, and spread the word.

Sahiyo U.S. will host its eighth annual Activists Retreat virtually via Zoom from July 26th - July 28th, 2024. Sahiyo’s Activist Retreats bring anti-FGC activists together in a safe space to female genital cutting and work together to end the practice. Survivors, activists, and anybody interested in learning more about FGC and ending it are welcome to apply! Please submit the Activists Retreat 2024 Interest Form by Saturday, June 1st, 2024 if you’re interested.

More about the retreat: 

When:

• Friday, July 26 - 5 to 6:30 pm PST/ 8 to 9:30 pm EST (1.5 hrs) via Zoom
• Saturday, July 27  - 8 am to 1:00 pm PST/ 11 am to 4:00 pm EST (5 hrs) via Zoom
• Sunday, July 28 - 8 am to 10:30 am PST/ 11 am to 1:30 pm EST (2.5 hrs) via Zoom

Who: The workshop is open to anyone residing in North America. Survivors of FGC, advocates working to end the practice, and the general public interested in learning more about anti-FGC work can attend. Previously relegated to South Asian populations only, this year the workshop will include members from Asian Pacific Islander communities as well as other groups.

What: The three-day retreat will include educational sessions, anti-FGC advocacy workshops, presentations, self-care activities for activists, and discussions about how to more effectively create change. The retreat will aim to achieve the following goals:

• Create a support system among activists working to empower their community to abandon FGC 
• Develop a safe space for individuals to learn more about the issue of FGC
• Build everybody’s overall capacity to engage in activism, including sharing knowledge, resources, and networks 

Watch former activist retreat participant Lubaina Plumber share her story:

Following the workshop, Sahiyo will continue to support activists in their anti-FGC efforts as a part of our ongoing education and advocacy work to end FGM/C.

If you’re interested in taking part, please fill out Activists Retreat 2024 Interest Form by Saturday, June 1st, 2024. We also invite you to visit our website to read about past retreats and learn more about the program.

If you have any questions and would like more information about the retreat, please feel free to reach out to Samman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sahiyo U.S. is pleased to announce that in collaboration with Mother Africa, the U.S. End FGM/C Network, and the Washington State Department of Health, we are seeking dedicated individuals to serve on an Advisory Committee for a Washington state-supported initiative aimed at preventing and responding to female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). This initiative,part of the implementation of Washington state law - SSB 5453, Section 6, aims to enhance statewide efforts to support FGM/C survivors and prevent future cases through strategic planning, community engagement, and education.

Apply here! 

Advisory Committee members will be given a unique opportunity to contribute to a significant public health and human rights effort. Members will play a critical role in shaping effective responses to FGM/C throughout the state. Advisory Committee Members will also participate in specialized subwork committees focused on areas such as community prevention and education, healthcare provider training, government agency response coordination, and/or other topics as agreed upon by the initial Advisory Committee.

Advisory Committee Role Description 

Project Time Frame: April 2024 to June 2025 

Location:  Washington State (Hybrid – Remote and In-Person Meetings as Required)

Time Commitment: 3-5 hours a month

Honorarium: $75 per hour

The initiative seeks to include perspectives from a wide range of professional backgrounds, personal experiences, and viewpoints, fostering inclusive and responsive strategies. We are interested in engaging those directly impacted by FGM/C, including survivors and individuals from practicing communities and other allies in this work, including related social justice fields such as reproductive health, child protection professionals, LGBTQI+ agencies. We also acknowledge the need for and vital role that faith leaders, men, and other community members play in the work to end FGM/C and invite all these various communities to apply to be a part of the Advisory Committee.. To ensure the effectiveness and diversity of the advisory committee dedicated to the prevention of and response to FGM/C in Washington state, applicants should:

• Understand the experience of survivors and/or willing to learn and engage with learning more on the topic
• Be committed to raising awareness about the harmsof FGM/C
• Value community and collaboration
• Respect the differences between various cultures

If you have questions contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Apply here! 

*The Advisory Committee and related project in Washington State is funded by the Washington State Department of Health*

If you missed our in-person meeting on April 23rd, join us on Wednesday, May 8th  12:30 to 1:30 pm PST / 3:30 to 4:30 pm EST for a virtual meeting to learn more about how Washington State plans to address the issue of female genital mutilation/cutting following the passage of State Senate Bill 5453- An Act Relative to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in April 2023. 

• Registration link: https://bit.ly/WAFGMCMay8 
• Or scan the QR code (below)

Additionally, to stay engaged and continue learning about FGM/C, join Sahiyo U.S. and the US End FGM/C Network for our upcoming training session on FGM/C on May 23, 2024, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM Pacific

• Register at: https://bit.ly/May23FGMCTraining 
• Or scan the QR code (below) 

For more information about the project or any additional questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..