December 2025, Sahiyo will celebrate its 10th anniversary, and we’re hosting a campaign to mark the occasion! Starting in July and running through December, we will be highlighting each of our programs, reflecting on our accomplishments, and planning for the future.
This month, we are highlighting Sahiyo’s male allies program, Bhaiyo. Bhaiyo is a resource and avenue for men to become involved in raising awareness on FGC and work toward supporting survivors and prevention for future generations.
Below, Chandni Shiyal, the Administrative Manager at Sahiyo, reflects on how the Bhaiyo program has evolved over the years.
By: Chandni Shiyal
- How have you supported or taken part in the Bhaiyo program over the years? Tell us about your journey with Bhaiyo.
I have been a part of Sahiyo since its inception. I have been actively involved in the Bhaiyo program since it began as well. I supported the program by talking to the men of our Thaal Pe Charcha (TPC) and Activists Retreat programs about joining the Bhaiyo program and encouraged them to spread the word and educate their family members and friends about FGC.
We observed through our work that very few men are aware of FGC, and those who are aware would like to contribute and take a firm stand against the harmful practice. It was also a great achievement for us that the idea to start the Bhaiyo program came from a man who participated in one of our programs.
- Is there a project that you worked on, or a campaign that you helped with as a Bhaiyo volunteer, that you are particularly proud of?
I have been involved in all the campaigns – including Father’s Day Campaign, Each One Reach Bhaiyo Campaign, and Male Allies – specifically contributing in brainstorming sessions about the different campaigns and reaching out to my own male friends to take part. Bhaiyo campaigns have been extremely instrumental in getting more men to speak and support the cause against FGC.
- How has Sahiyo’s encouraging men to be involved in the movement to End FGC supported work in this overall movement?
Bhaiyo has been instrumental in the movement to end FGC. The call to involve men in the movement came from our female participants. They felt that a man’s decision to make the girls in his life, his daughters, nieces, etc, undergo the cut would be really helpful. Through our observations and past programs, we came to understand that very few men were aware of FGC. After they became aware, a lot of men showed interest in spreading awareness among their male friends and also took a firm stand against it within their families. I believe it is very important for men and women to take a collective stand against it. It will have a great impact on reducing this harmful practice overall.
- How has being a Bhaiyo volunteer impacted your own life?
Working with men on this cause, I have realized that men are really open to having conversations and joining hands along with women to fight against this harmful practice.
- What have you learned about FGC and gender-based violence through your experiences as a Bhaiyo volunteer?
There is a lack of awareness among men and fewer platforms for men to engage on this issue. I believe patriarchy is just a system where men and women are both trapped and try to negotiate in their daily lives to be accepted in society.
- How would you like to see Bhaiyo grow in the next ten years?
I’d like to see us have more conversations with young men in the community. I believe the younger generation in this digital age is really aware of this issue and is challenging the age-old traditions from a scientific and logical perspective. I am sure that in the next ten years, more and more men will be involved in the program, and the prevalence rate will decrease to a great extent. I see a lot of young as well as older people are part of our program and speaking against FGC.
