Sahiyo will host its third annual Women's Day Celebration & Silent Auction with the goal of raising $15,000 in support of our work to end female genital cutting. The auction will open on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 and close on Sunday, March 9th, 2025. During this five-day fundraising event, we'll celebrate women's voices with comedy, stories, and entertainment. We’re incredibly grateful to all of our generous sponsors and supporters who have contributed some wonderful auction items. To uplift their work and thank them, we’re highlighting a few and why they support Sahiyo. And if you, too, would like to contribute in some way, click here to donate.
Today, we’re highlighting Zehra Patwa, who currently serves as Chair of the Sahiyo US Advisory Board. She is also the co-founder of WeSpeakOut, an organization that strives to work for equal rights for Bohra women in all spheres of life, specifically, on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) or khafz.
Can you tell us about your organization and its mission?
WeSpeakOut is an organization dedicated to uplifting equal rights for Bohra women in all spheres of life. Specifically, we focus on FGM/C, all agree that this harmful practice has no place in our lives, and we want it to be banned.
What motivated you to sponsor Sahiyo’s 2025 CelebrateHer: Comedy & Auction event?
Sahiyo and WeSpeakOut have been working together for many years, and the programs that Sahiyo provides in the field of the anti-FGM/C movement have been impactful in so many ways. The CelebrateHer Comedy & Auction is the perfect celebration of those who work to support and protect women and girls from this harmful practice.
How do you see your sponsorship making an impact in raising awareness about FGC prevention and support for survivors?
Watching the comedians perform on March 5 is a fantastic way to support Sahiyo! While what we do can be hard and heartbreaking, raising awareness through a lighthearted event acknowledges that we can support the work in a fun way, and that's the impact I hope my sponsorship has.
What message do you want to share with our readers about why supporting Sahiyo’s mission is important?
Sahiyo has been instrumental in bringing about awareness of FGC in the US and all over the world. The organization works in an incredibly sensitive way to ensure that education and support are provided in a way that meets its audience where they are. That audience includes survivors of FGC, anti-FGC activists, health care providers, and the general public.
What personally inspires you or your team to advocate for social justice and community well-being?
As someone who has a privileged life, despite being an FGC survivor, I wanted to be able to support those who do not have the benefit of the incredible support network that I have. At WeSpeakOut, we have vowed to ensure girls’ lives are protected from what we endured.
Is there a particular moment or story in your work that has stood out as especially meaningful?
The first time I attended a Sahiyo Activist Retreat in 2018, I was burned out and on the verge of giving up my activism. The retreat was a turning point in my life by giving me the support I needed to carry on, so that I could help many more people. I will be forever grateful for Sahiyo for recognizing that this work is hard and for providing the support activists need.