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 […]
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 […]
Unsilenced: A Conversation with Tasneem Perry on What it Means to Share Her Story As a Survivor of FGM/C
By: Megan Seaver Earlier this year, Sahiyo’s Co-Editorial Coordinator, Megan Seaver, sat down with long time Sahiyo partner and survivor Tasneem Perry to discuss the recent removal of an article in The Sun, featuring her story about female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), following backlash from the Dawoodi Bohra community. Speaking out about FGM/C and sharing her […]
Farrah Dalal Reflects on the 2026 Activist Retreat
By: Farrah Dalal I chose to participate in the Sahiyo Activists Retreat because I feel as a survivor and activist it is important to maintain connection to the networks of people doing the difficult work of affecting change in our community and around the world. There has been so much progress since my youth, and […]
Reflecting on my first Activists’ Retreat: Gender and FGC
By: Anonymous Prior to attending my first Activists’ Retreat this past February, I could tell you that being a survivor of female genital cutting (FGC) means something different to each person it’s been done to, but I think it would’ve lacked a certain authority and understanding. What stuck with me the most from this retreat […]