Sahiyo is pleased to announce that our team will present “Intersections of FGM/C and Human Trafficking: A Global Needs Assessment” at the 2026 International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference (IHTSJ) on Friday, September 25th, 2026, in collaboration with Shobana Powell Consulting and Nomi Network. The virtual conference takes place from September 23rd to the25th, and will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates from around the world to advance innovative approaches to preventing trafficking and promoting social justice.

The session will share findings from a global needs assessment examining the often-overlooked intersections between female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and human trafficking. Drawing on interviews with experts and lived experience leaders across 24 countries, the research identifies key pathways linking these forms of exploitation, including forced and child marriage, trafficking while fleeing FGM/C, and trafficking following FGM/C.

The presentation will also highlight critical gaps in identification, screening, and service provision, while offering recommendations for strengthening cross-sector collaboration, survivor-centered responses, and global policy. By bringing together perspectives from research, advocacy, and lived experience, the session aims to deepen understanding of how overlapping forms of gender-based violence can be addressed through more coordinated and equitable approaches.

We look forward to sharing this important research with the global anti-trafficking community and continuing conversations that strengthen prevention, improve survivor support, and advance gender justice worldwide.