By: Jumai Olumo-Saidu

Attending and presenting at the annual Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) conference in Springfield, Illinois, was a transformative experience. As a volunteer at Sahiyo and a second-year community psychology student at the National Louis University, I co-led an FGC 101 training session with Sahiyo's Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, Aries Nuno to educate advocates working in the sexual assault and gender-based violence field on the topic of female genital cutting (FGC). This blog reflects on my experience, interactions with the audience, and the impact our FGC 101 training at this conference had on my personal and professional growth.

There were several moments during the FGC 101 presentation that stood out to me. The introduction to FGC, USA statistics, and the specific context of FGC, how it occurs, and who is impacted by it in Illinois all set the stage for a thought-provoking discussion. One memorable interaction was when a woman asked a question about balancing human rights with respecting cultural norms that have existed for generations. Her question highlighted the challenge of advocating against harmful practices without condemning entire cultures. This made me think deeply about approaching such sensitive topics without alienating the communities we aim to support.

Another memorable moment was when a participant asked about alternative ways to empower survivors of FGC. This question shifted the focus from condemning the practice to finding constructive and supportive ways to help those who are affected by it. This moment in the presentation reminded me that our work should not only aim to end the harmful practice of FGC but also to uplift and empower survivors.

The audience's reaction to the stories of survivors was also a significant part of the presentation. The room was filled with shock and discomfort, but also curiosity. The emotional response underscored the importance of our work and the need for continued education and advocacy around this issue. The audience's inquisitive questions highlighted the need for more awareness and understanding of FGC for the broader public, and even those working in fields related to FGC, such as human rights organizations, and those who work to fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

Professional and Personal Growth

This experience has had a profound impact on both my personal and professional life. Professionally, attending and participating in the conference reinforced the importance of cultural sensitivity and the need for a balanced approach when discussing FGC in my work. This experience also helped to emphasize the necessity of providing comprehensive resources and support for survivors. A prevalent myth is that FGC has health benefits, while in reality, it poses significant health risks, including chronic pain, infections, and complications in childbirth. The questions and comments from the audience offered valuable insights into such misconceptions and the gaps in knowledge about FGC that still exist today and need to be addressed. 

Therapeutic Aspects

The conference was a therapeutic experience as well. Sharing the stories of survivors and discussing the nuances of FGC allowed me to process and reflect on the emotional weight of this work. It also reinforced my commitment to advocacy and education in this field. The supportive environment of the conference, combined with my colleagues and the audience's shared passion, created a sense of community and solidarity that was comforting and empowering.

It allowed me and the participants to voice the struggles and triumphs of advocating against FGC. The audience's engagement and the meaningful dialogue that ensued affirmed the importance of our efforts and the positive impact we can and do have on the world. This experience reminded me why I chose this path and reinvigorated my dedication to making a difference in this space.

Leading the FGC 101 training at the ICASA conference was a defining moment in my journey as a community psychology student and an advocate against FGC. The interactions and reactions from the audience were enlightening and underscored the critical need for continued education and advocacy on the practice. This experience not only contributed to my professional development but also provided a therapeutic outlet to process the emotional aspects of this work. As I move forward, I am more committed than ever to supporting survivors, educating others about FGC, and ensuring that cultural sensitivity and human rights remain at the forefront of our efforts to end this harmful practice.

Related links:

• Sahiyo Presents FGC 101 Training at ICASA’s Annual Conference
• Paving the Path to End FGC in Washington State! Year 1 in Review
• FGC 101 Training for Volunteers at Asian Women's Shelter

We're excited to share the highlights of an incredible journey we've embarked on with our partners Mother Africa, The U.S. End FGM/C Network, and the Washington State Department of Health. Our collective mission to prevent and respond to female genital cutting (FGC) across Washington State has seen tremendous progress since Year 1 began this past March, thanks to the enthusiastic support and participation of our community members.

From the very beginning, with the Washington Coalition championing the law against FGC that eventually passed in April 2023, engaging with our communities has been at the heart of our efforts. In Year 1, our outreach activities brought together over 100 individuals, creating spaces for meaningful conversations and shared learning. Through a series of informative events, including an FGC 101 training and thought-provoking webinars, we have not only spread awareness but also sparked important discussions. 

During this period, two of our meetings were hosted in-person in Kent, WA, inviting community members to get involved with the project and learn more about FGC. The first meeting held in April 2024, was the kick-off event for this initiative and involved various strategy sessions. Attendees collaborated in resource mapping exercises, identifying key players for our advisory committee and brainstorming innovative programming ideas. The energy and excitement in the room for this project were palpable as attendees shared their insights and built connections with individuals in their nearby communities. This event not only laid the groundwork for our project's future activities but also exemplified our commitment to community-driven solutions and inclusive dialogue.

The final in-person meeting for the year was hosted on June 13th, and included a screening session of videos from Sahiyo’s Voices to End FGM/C project titled, “Video Screening & Discussion with Survivors of FGM/C in Washington State.” This event was particularly moving, as two of the storytellers themselves were present and participated in a panel discussion answering questions about their experiences, insights, and what they are looking forward to with this project.   

These moments of connection remind us of the importance of community-led initiatives and the power of storytelling in fostering understanding and empathy. As we look forward to Year 2, we are filled with hope and determination! 

To learn more visit the project's website and watch the Year 1 below:

In case you haven’t heard, the Gambian authorities decided to keep the FGC ban in place and the Sahiyo community couldn’t be more thrilled! If the ban had been repealed, Gambia would have become the first country in the world to overturn a law banning FGC, setting a dangerous precedent worldwide. 

Sahiyo advisory member and Voices to End FGC alumni Absa Samba is a Gambian FGC survivor who told The Associated Press she celebrated with others in front of parliament. “It's such a huge sense of relief, but I believe this is just the beginning of the work.”

We’d like to thank our fellow activists and the myriad of political, medical, and legal organizations worldwide that expressed their support for maintaining the current legislation. Such support was instrumental in the decision to keep the ban in place. We hope the global outcry made it loud and clear to lawmakers worldwide: FGC legislation is not up for debate.

But Absa is correct – this is just the beginning of our work. We’re ecstatic Gambian lawmakers chose the right side of history this past week, but the fact that repealing such a ban was even up for debate is troublesome. We were dangerously close to a repeal that would have rendered millions in The Gambia vulnerable.

According to UNICEF, around 230 million women worldwide have undergone female genital cutting in the past eight years, with the majority in Africa and others in the Middle East and Asia. That’s an increase of 15 percent, indicating now more than ever it is critically important to stay vigilant, speak up, and work even harder to put more people at risk. 

To get involved in the movement to end FGC, please visit Sahiyo.org to learn more about our volunteer opportunities and various programs. You can also support Sahiyo's work to end female genital cutting and empower survivors by donating here. 

To learn more about the crisis in The Gambia, read Sahiyo and the Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C’s Joint Statement on the issue published shortly before the announcement.

Related links:

• Our Fight to End FGM in The Gambia: Who is Listening?

• UNICEF released new data on global prevalence of FGM/C 

• Behind the Wall by Gambian activist and FGC survivor Isatou Jallow

We would like to thank all of those who participated in our public awareness campaign surrounding male engagement in the movement against FGC. In honor of Father’s Day 2024, Sahiyo’s male engagement program, Bhaiyo, launched a campaign to help survivors and activists have productive conversations with the men in their lives about FGC. Throughout June and into July, we shared videos, quotes and articles on our social media platforms and blog, highlighting how men can raise awareness about FGC and voicing their support for ending the practice.

We encourage you to take a look at the inspiring blogs and posts that were published throughout this campaign:

• Breaking the Silence: A Conversation with My Father About FGM/C

• The practice of khatna on girls must stop / છોકરીઓ પર ખત્નાની પ્રથા બંધ થવી જોઈએ

• Starting the Dialogue: Sharing Your Experiences on Initiating Conversations with Men about Female Genital Cutting

• Ending FGM – Fight the Mansplaining, Toxic Masculinity, and Patriarchy

To view the social media posts from this campaign please visit our Instagram page @sahiyovoices.

Once again we would like to thank all of those who participated in the campaign, your efforts to engage in difficult, thought provoking, and important conversations with the men in your lives is crucial in the movement to end FGC.

To learn more about Sahiyo’s male engagement program, Bhaiyo, click here.

Earlier this year, we were honored to join forces with the Milken Institute School of Public Health, the U.S. End FGM/C Network, and the Global Woman PEACE Foundation (GWPF) to address FGC across the United States. This initiative, funded by a $300,000 grant from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (DOJ-OVW), marks a significant step forward in our fight to end FGC.

Throughout this project, our dedicated team will conduct listening sessions, offer comprehensive training and technical assistance (T&TA), and develop online resources to enhance the capacity of state agency partners and community service providers in supporting FGC survivors. This initiative represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to create a safer and more supportive environment for impacted individuals.

On June 20, 2024, we hosted an impactful in-person meeting at George Washington University with our project partners. This gathering allowed us to review the project timeline in great depth and align on progress and upcoming milestones. A highlight of the meeting was reviewing the data we have collected thus far from the listening sessions, which provided invaluable insights into the knowledge, strengths, and needs of the grantees regarding FGC awareness and understanding. This data-driven approach initiated rich discussions and brainstorming sessions among the partners, emphasizing the importance of organizing our T&TA as a learning collaborative. We explored ideas for creating a toolkit of case studies and guided sessions by subject matter experts to facilitate peer learning. Our goal is to build a framework for ongoing support and capacity building in FGC prevention and response, recognizing that this is a journey we undertake together, pioneering new efforts and approaches in addressing FGC. 

We look forward to sharing some of our recent findings with federal agencies in a meeting later this month. Our goal is to inspire and advocate for additional federal funding and support for these efforts nationwide, recognizing that our strength lies in our collective commitment and collaboration.

We are eager to uplift an ongoing collaboration between Sahiyo U.S. and the U.S. End FGM/C Network. Inspired by the U.S. Network’s upcoming release of its Survivor Listening Session Summary Report and Sahiyo U.S.’s ongoing Critical Intersections Research Project, the two entities have joined forces for a pilot project around intersectionality and FGC. 

In May, the U.S. Network and Sahiyo began sending out bi-weekly discussion questions to both organization’s respective listservs; these questions prompt activists and allies within the anti-FGC field to consider intersections between different social oppressions and FGC. Topics addressed by the questions include ties between FGC and religion, the conflation of gender-affirming care and FGC, racial stereotyping, and more.

The goals of this initiative are as follows: 

1. To gather insight on various intersectional challenges from members of the Network. 
2. To share these responses with other stakeholders outside of the Network to facilitate dialogue on the topic of intersectional approaches to ending FGC. 

If you are interested in any of the topics listed above and want to be a part of these conversations, please email either Caitlin LeMay of the U.S. Network (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Rachel Wine of Sahiyo (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for more information.

To learn more about Sahiyo’s Critical Intersections project, click here.