After 6 Years of Organizing, Connecticut Passes Legislation to Protect Children from Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting
We are thrilled to announce that after six years of survivor-led organizing, (including a Change.org petition), coalition-building, education, and community engagement, legislation addressing FGM/C has passed in Connecticut. CT Senate Bill 259 was passed April 21st in the Connecticut Senate and passed on Monday, April 27th in the House of Representatives. The bill will next […]
Unsilenced: A Conversation with Tasneem Perry on What it Means to Share Her Story As a Survivor of FGM/C
By: Megan Seaver Earlier this year, Sahiyo’s Co-Editorial Coordinator, Megan Seaver, sat down with long time Sahiyo partner and survivor Tasneem Perry to discuss the recent removal of an article in The Sun, featuring her story about female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), following backlash from the Dawoodi Bohra community. Speaking out about FGM/C and sharing her […]
Farrah Dalal Reflects on the 2026 Activist Retreat
By: Farrah Dalal I chose to participate in the Sahiyo Activists Retreat because I feel as a survivor and activist it is important to maintain connection to the networks of people doing the difficult work of affecting change in our community and around the world. There has been so much progress since my youth, and […]
Reflecting on my first Activists’ Retreat: Gender and FGC
By: Anonymous Prior to attending my first Activists’ Retreat this past February, I could tell you that being a survivor of female genital cutting (FGC) means something different to each person it’s been done to, but I think it would’ve lacked a certain authority and understanding. What stuck with me the most from this retreat […]
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and Anti-Immigrant Narratives: Why California Needs to Strengthen Its Law on FGM/C
Worldwide, over 230 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and currently, an additional 30 million girls under the age of 15 are at risk worldwide. In the United States, a 2019 estimate stated that FGM/C has impacted 421,000 women and girls, and while most of these women and girls are survivors […]
Sahiyo hosts Private Film Screening of Documentary “Haram Ni Boti”
By: Samman Masud On March 26, Sahiyo hosted a virtual, private film screening of the documentary, ‘Haram Ni Boti’ for the Activists Retreat, Bhaiyo Male Allies, and the Voices to End FGM/C program alumni. Sahiyo’s volunteers and interns also joined the viewing followed by a discussion with the filmmaker and Bhaiyo member, Hatim Yusuf. Created […]
Sahiyo at CSW70: Advancing Survivor-Led, Anti-Racist Advocacy
By: Nuzhat Zaman This March, Sahiyo participated in the 70th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York City, bringing critical survivor-led perspectives to global conversations on FGM/C, gender-based violence, and bodily autonomy. At CSW70, Sahiyo led and contributed to a series of events that deepened these conversations and […]
A call for global action — racism is harming survivors: new report exposes racial injustice in anti-FGM/C movement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Name: Kristel Mendoza CastilloPhone: +1-508-263-0112Email: Kristel@sahiyo.org A call for global action — racism is harming survivors: new report exposes racial injustice in anti-FGM/C movement MELBOURNE, Australia — A new report finds the movement to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is being held back by racial injustice within its own ranks. A first-of-its-kind […]
Intern Spotlight: Nareen Pogozelski
Every month, Sahiyo likes to highlight the incredible work of our staff members, fellows, and interns. Today, we’re spotlighting Sahiyo’s recent Policy Intern, Nareen Pogozelski. Nareen is a current senior at the University of Southern California, set to graduate in May 2026 with her Bachelor’s in Public Policy. She plans to attend law school—with hopes […]
Bringing Movements Together to Address Harmful Conflations
What happens when survivors, advocates, and community leaders across movements—often working in parallel—are able to come together in one shared space? This May, Sahiyo will help make that possible. Sahiyo is honored to be part of a unique and timely opportunity to convene survivors, advocates, and members of the LGBTQI+ community for a first-of-its-kind gathering […]