Survival Is a Group Project
By Lubaina Plumber The Massachusetts Women of Color Network held its 9th Annual Conference on May 14 and 15 at Springfield College. I attended as a panelist on behalf of Sahiyo. The theme this year, Survival Is a Group Project, drew its framing from the tradition of mutual aid and collective care, and the program […]
Women Deliver 2026: A call for change
By Huda Syyed, PhD Welcome to Women Deliver 2026 Working across both academia and advocacy spaces with years of experience researching gender, violence, culture and bodily autonomy, I came to Women Deliver 2026 (WD2026) to learn, to unlearn, and to advocate. Powerful moments happened at the conference, but what stayed with me the most were […]
Conference on Gender, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, and Harmful Conflations
Deep in the Adirondacks, a powerhouse group of 14 survivors, advocates, policy experts, and LGBTQIA+ allies gathered with a singular, urgent purpose: to build cross-movement solidarity. From May 13th to 17th, we confronted the dangerous and escalating conflation of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) with gender-affirming care (GAC) in public discourse and legislation—a trend that threatens […]
Remembering Neelam Khaki and Her Legacy
To our Sahiyo Community, It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beloved advisory board member, Neelam Khaki, on April 11, 2026 For over a decade Neelam worked as the Coordinator of the Peaceful Families Taskforce at API Chaya, a Seattle-based non-profit serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human […]
Melbourne to Movement: Key Takeaways from Sahiyo’s Events at Women Deliver 2026
At the Women Deliver 2026 (#WD2026) conference this April in Melbourne (Naarm), Australia, Sahiyo stood at the forefront of the global movement to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). By centering survivor voices and intersectional advocacy, the organization proved once again that survivors are not an addition to the movement—they are the movement. Here are the […]
Joint statement regarding hearings related to female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) before the Supreme Court of India
The Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C, the End FGM/C Africa Network, and The Girl Generation: Support to the Africa-led Movement to End FGM/C, issue this joint statement in response to the ongoing hearings before the Supreme Court of India addressing female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). We welcome the fact that this critical human rights […]
How Washington Plans to Train Health Workers and Engage Communities Under Senate Bill 5453
By: Khushi Prakash This blog post is part of a multi-part series that explores how Washington State is implementing Senate Bill 5453 and what these changes mean for communities, service providers, and survivors. Part One focuses on the foundations of the law and how Washington plans to develop training and community engagement strategies as part […]
Intern Spotlight: Elisha Telesford
Elisha is a graduate from Montclair State University, where she earned her degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. Passionate about creating meaningful change, she strives to use her background in marketing and psychology to help forge meaningful connections between brands and their audience. Doubling as a gymnastics […]
Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C Holds Press Conference on Landmark Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Legislation
By: Khushi Prakash On April 27, 2026, the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/G, in partnership with the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity (CWCSEO), held a press conference in front of the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford. Survivors, advocates, and legislators gathered to raise awareness of Connecticut Raised Bill SB 259. Speakers included: […]
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 […]