Presenting “Quiet Activism and the Psychosocial Impacts of Female Genital Cutting”
Event Overview Join us on April 25, 2024, at 12 PM EST for an enlightening webinar titled “Quiet Activism and the Psychosocial Impacts of Female Genital Cutting.” We are honored to feature speakers Arefa Cassoobhoy, Doris Mukangu, Farrah Dalal, Dena Igusti, and Lubaina Plumber, who will share their insights on leveraging quiet activism to navigate […]
U.S. Activists Retreat 2024 Frequently Asked Questions
Sahiyo is pleased to announce that the 2024 U.S. Activists’ Retreat to any person connected to a community or communities engaged in the practice of FGM/C and who is interested in ending the practice of FGM/C. Learn more about what the Retreat is all about from past retreat attendees who have written for our blog! […]
Reflections on Pain, Stigma, and Activism
By Tanya Samyak On December 6, 2023, Sahiyo organized a webinar titled Pain, Stigma and Sexual Health: Healing through Storytelling in collaboration with TightLipped, a grassroots organization supporting and advocating for individuals who experience chronic vulvovaginal and pelvic pain. Panelists shared their personal stories, which touched on topics survivors of female genital cutting (FGC) also […]
New Report from the Population Institute on GBV: “Behind Closed Doors: Exposing and Addressing Harmful Gender-Based Practices in the United States”
Read more in “Behind Closed Doors: Exposing and Addressing Harmful Practices in the United States.” Sahiyo is proud to help announce the publication of a new report by the Population Institute a nonprofit that advocates for gender equality and universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, titled, “Behind Closed Doors: Exposing and Addressing Harmful […]
Upcoming Event: “Impactful Media Reporting on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in the United States: A Conversation”
Date: April 17, 2024 Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 pm EST Registration: https://bit.ly/FGMCMediaReporting Join Equality Now and Sahiyo U.S. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 3:00 PM EST, for a discussion that will explore the intricacies of reporting on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). This invitation extends to all media professionals — reporters, journalists, editors, and […]
Our Fight to End FGM in The Gambia: Who is Listening?
By: Jaha Dukureh, a Gambian anti-female genital mutilation campaigner and the founder and executive director of Safe Hands for Girls. Jaha was named TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People for 2016 and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018. After I spent years campaigning to outlaw female circumcision, finally my country started to listen. In 2015, The Gambia […]
A Space to Belong: My Reflection on the 2023 Activist Retreat
By: Umme Kulsoom Arif Pronouns: they/them Age: 29 Why Did You Want To Attend The Activist Retreat? I attended the Activist Retreat for the first time virtually in 2022, and it was a really affirming experience over those three days. However, I was really excited for an in-person retreat, especially because I had not really […]
Finding freedom through sharing your story: how speaking up liberated activist Lomaris “Lo” Diaz
In December, Sahiyo U.S. and TightLipped explored the power of sharing one’s story during our “Pain, Stigma, and Sexual Health: Healing Through Storytelling webinar. After recently chatting with one of the panelists, Grace Culqui, I had the pleasure of interviewing another participant: Lomaris “Lo” Diaz. For years, Lomaris struggled with vulvovaginal issues which caused her […]
Finding safe people and protecting your peace is key, says activist Grace Culqui
By Sheena Vasani After Sahiyo U.S. and TightLipped hosted the webinar, “Pain, Stigma, and Sexual Health: Healing Through Storytelling” in December 2023, I spoke to Grace Culqui to learn more about her experiences as a webinar panelist and chronic pelvic pain survivor. During the webinar, Grace opened up for the first time in a public […]
Calling on the CT legislature to protect girls from FGM/C
A bill to protect children from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Connecticut (CT) has not been raised by the Connecticut Judiciary Committee in the 2024 legislative session. This news comes as a shock to many survivors of FGM/C and anti-FGM/C activists who have been campaigning for the bill to be introduced. The bill would have […]