Starting March 8th, International Women’s Day, Sahiyo U.S. will be hosting a virtual silent auction to raise funds and awareness for our programs and services to end female genital cutting (FGC). The auction will open on Wednesday, March 8th, 9am PST/ 12pm EST and close on Sunday, March 12th, 6pm PST/ 9pm EST. We have some amazing sponsors and auction items have been provided by our supporters., To uplift and thank them for their contribution, we’re highlighting who they are and why they support Sahiyo.
When and how did your involvement with Sahiyo first begin?
My involvement with Sahiyo began when the Violence Against Women Initiative at Lesley University began planning for a panel discussion in 2017. That would be a prelude to the formal conference and exhibition that we held in fall 2018. Mariya Taher has been a regular presence in our evolving efforts for many years, due to her own connections to Lesley University.
Why did you decide to give to Sahiyo’s silent auction? What does the event mean to you?
I was more than happy to contribute an item to this auction to be part of the momentum behind efforts to raise awareness about FGM/C. Sahiyo’s mission is so important – to women, to allies, to global partners who can make a difference and empower survivors through systemic efforts. It’s not easy to enact change when practices and forces have been in place for thousands of years, and the people in positions of power as well as oppressors are reluctant to lose their power. Every ounce of awareness contributes to the growing ripple effect that can make a difference for generations of women and girls.
What did you donate?
My family donated a pair of Red Sox tickets to the auction. We’re hoping that people can enjoy a wonderful game at Fenway Park! Red Sox games have brought our family decades of joy (and heartache) – there’s nothing like a great game in Boston!
How would you like to see your donation help Sahiyo grow?
I’ll be delighted to know that someone chose to purchase the tickets because they wanted to support Sahiyo. It would be wonderful if the auction items draw people to the organization who weren’t aware of Sahiyo before, therefore increasing awareness of the work.
Why do you think others should donate to Sahiyo?
The greater the donations, the greater the reach of the work. More than the specific amount that people donate is the impact of giving, period. It’s more impactful to have more people contributing to this critical work.