Reflecting on Being Seen
By Cate Cox Despite working at Sahiyo for nearly three years, it wasn’t until recently that I decided to participate in our popular ‘Voices to End FGM/C’ digital storytelling workshop. For so long I’ve been inspired by the strength and bravery of the storytellers I watched on my computer screen. I’ve used various Voices videos […]
My story doesn’t end here
By Farrah Dalal I could speak to a multitude of ways in which female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has impacted my life and experiences. However, I choose to focus my first attempt at storytelling on my college years, rather than the actual physical trauma I endured. Here’s why: Many of us are cut as young children. […]
Washington State makes progress to end FGM/C
Washington State is one of the remaining ten U.S. states without any law that addresses and prohibits female genial mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). FGM/C is a human rights violation and form of child abuse and gender-based violence that involves removal of the female genitalia for non-medical purposes. This gap in state protection has left children in Washington […]
Reflecting on There’s an App For That?: Technological Innovation and Change Towards Ending Female Genital Cutting event
By Derrick Simiyu During this past March 8th, International Women’s Day, I was extremely excited to attend There’s an App For That? Technological Innovation and Change Towards Ending Female Genital Cutting, hosted by the Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C as a parallel event during the United Nations’ NGOCSW67. The webinar explored how technology, […]
Washington Senate Bill 5453 moves to House Appropriations Committee
In Washington state, Senate Billl 5453 concerning female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) recently passed the House Committee unanimously, and is now scheduled for a public hearing with the House Appropriations Committee on Friday, March 31st at 1:30 PM PST. The bill, which was introduced on January 18th, aims to: create a private right of action for […]
Sahiyo spotlight: Incoming U.S. Advisory Board Vice Chair Sakina Sharp
Sakina Sharp has advocated against gender-based violence for over two decades. In 2011, she co-founded Awaaz, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to help survivors of domestic violence. She led it in an executive leadership and board capacity for 7 years. Sakina is a legal and compliance executive with 20+ years of experience in insurance regulatory and […]
My experience learning about Kukeketwa (FGC)
By Cecilia Mwakenya Trigger warning: this article contains graphic descriptions of female genital cutting (FGC). I was born and raised in Chachewa, a small village in Taita Taveta County, Kenya. Taita Taveta County is located approximately 360 kilometers from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. The Taita and Taveta communities are the most populous ethnic groups in […]
Washington Coalition hosts educational webinar on female genital cutting
On March 9th, the Washington Coalition to End FGM/C, in partnership with Sahiyo, The U.S. End FGM/C Network, Children’s Alliance, and Mother Africa, held a webinar called Protecting Children in Washington State from Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting with the goal of drawing attention to this human rights violation and how it impacts children in the State. […]
There’s an App For That? Technological Innovation and Change Towards Ending Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting
On March 8th, the Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C hosted a parallel event, “There’s an App For That? Technological Innovation and Change Towards Ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting” at the NGOCSW67. This webinar explored the ways in which technology, internet communication, and the digitalization of raising awareness can help achieve the elimination of FGM/C. […]
Sahiyo spotlight: Outgoing U.S. Advisory Board Chair Arefa Cassoobhoy
Arefa Cassoobhoy is a board certified internal medicine physician with expertise in digital health communications. She is committed to raising awareness of topics like female genital cutting and is honored to have served as chair of the Sahiyo U.S. advisory board from 2021-2023. An advocate for health equity and health literacy, she treats patients and […]