Underground in America: Female Genital Cutting
On June 22, 2016, Sahiyo’s cofounder, Mariya Taher came out on camera to discuss FGC in the United States and the work she has been doing to support other women and girls who are at-risk or who have undergone FGC and are living in this country. Her work into this area of gender violence began […]
No, even ‘symbolic’ or ‘mild’ female genital cutting is NOT okay
Should mild forms of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) be legalised? Should supposedly “harmless” nicking or slicing of clitoral tissue be medicalised, simply because getting communities to completely stop FGC happens to be a very difficult task? There has always been some support for mild, medicalised FGC, chiefly from communities that claim to practice female “circumcision” […]
One Woman’s Reactions to Bakersfield’s Resolution against Khatna (FGC)
By: Anonymous Country: United States Age: In her 30s When the public resolution on khatna (female circumcision) from the Bakersfield Jamaat (community) was released shortly after the Sydney case, an old weight was lifted from me. There. They’ve finally said it. Do not do this. As I followed the events leading to […]
I’m A Survivor of Female Genital Cutting and I’m Speaking Out – As Others Must Too
(This story originally appeared on the Guardian.com on February 8, 2016 and reappeared on the U.S. State Department’s official blog on June 1, 2016. It is republished here with permission). By Maryum Saifee I was sitting in an anthropology seminar at the University of Texas cramming for a final, only half-listening to a fellow classmate […]
The Role of Men in Ending FGM in the Bohra Community
Our campaign will continue: Sahiyo’s statement in response to Syedna’s official stand on khatna
On June 6, 2016, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin officially released a public statement to the press clarifying his stance on the issue of female genital cutting (khatna/khafz) in the Dawoodi Bohra community. Since February, several Bohra jamaats in countries like Australia, UK, USA and Canada – where female genital cutting is illegal – have issued resolution […]
Discussing FGC During International Women’s Day event in Pune
On 23rd April, 2016, the University Women’s Association (UWA), along with the Poona Women’s Council, the Family Planning Association of India, Women’s Studies Center, ILS Law College, Pune Women’s Forum, Miloon Saryajani, Nari Samata Manch, General Practitioners Association, Sahiyo, Speak Out on FGM and Sassoon Hospital organised a program that aimed towards creating a dialogue amongst stakeholders […]
Boston Jammaat Sends Letter Against Khatna/FGC to Members
Mariya’s experience at the Women Deliver 2016 Conference
By Mariya TaherFrom March 16-19, 2016, I represented Sahiyo at the Women Deliver 2016 Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, having been invited by Orchid Project to speak at a side event they organized in conjunction with The Girl Generation. The event was put together to allow panelists from practicing countries to share their personal experiences, and help to bring local […]
Sahiyo teams up with Breakthrough to shine a spotlight on stories from FGC survivors
Since the end of 2015, Sahiyo has been sharing the stories of both women and men who have negatively been affected by the practice of female genital cutting within the Dawoodi Bohra Community. Now, from June 2nd to June 9th, Sahiyo and Breakthrough will be running a joint storytelling campaign to further shine a spotlight […]