On April 23rd, 2024, Sahiyo U.S., in collaboration with the Washington Department of Health, Mother Africa, and the U.S. End FGM/C Network, convened a significant gathering at Greenriver College, Kent Campus. The event, titled "Prevention & Response: How to Protect Washington’s Children & Support Survivors & Communities Impacted by Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting," marked a pivotal day in our ongoing efforts to combat FGM/C in Washington State, following the enactment of Senate Bill 5453 in April of 2023.
This legislation, which was a critical step in addressing FGM/C, was made possible through the tireless efforts of advocates from the Washington Coalition, as well as legislative champions such as Senator Karen Keiser. Their participation in the event brought invaluable insights and highlighted the collaborative spirit that supported the law's passage.
The day was filled with meaningful discussions, beginning with an overview of FGM/C and its impact in Washington, followed by a deep dive into the legislative framework provided by the WA DOH, setting the stage for community stakeholders, from healthcare, government, nonprofit sectors, and community-based organizations to share their insights for the potential direction of the project. Most importantly, the voices of survivors and community members impacted by FGM/C were at the forefront of this discussion, guiding our conversations and strategies. Read the KUOW article, “Coalition Against FGM Supports Victims in Washington State,” to learn more!
We are grateful to all who participated and contributed their knowledge and experiences to this event. If you have any questions and want to learn more about and how to get involved with this project, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
