My time at the 2023 Peer-to-Peer National ARP Convening
In October 2023, Sahiyo’s Community Engagement Coordinator Samman Masud as well as long-time Sahiyo volunteer and Activists Retreat planning committee member Umme Kulsoom Arif attended the 2023 Peer-to-Peer National American Rescue Plan (ARP) Convening in Washington D.C. The three-day convention welcomed representatives from over 40 non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. to join other grantees of […]
Reflecting on the 2023 Activists Retreat
By Samman Masud In September 2023, activists, survivors of female genital cutting (FGC), and community members from the Bohra community came from all over the U.S. to gather in-person at Sahiyo’s 6th annual Activists Retreat. This three-day affair, in Atlanta, Georgia, brought together individuals belonging to the Bohra community to deepen relationships with one another, […]
From idea to fruition: A webinar by nonprofit founders working in gender-based violence
Starting an organization is by no means an easy feat, even when someone is passionate about a topic, there will always be stumbles along the way to developing an organization. These falls of Mariya Taher, cofounder of Sahiyo, are what led her to look for opportunities for support, like with the Valor LEAP fellowship program. […]
FGC 101 Training for Volunteers at Asian Women’s Shelter
As part of Sahiyo’s long-standing collaboration with the Asian Women’s Shelter (AWS), a training session was held on October 28th to empower incoming volunteers. The training aimed to equip AWS’s dedicated volunteers with essential knowledge and foundational skills for understanding the pressing issue of female genital cutting (FGC), both globally and within their communities in […]
Bridgewell Organizes Training for Social Workers
Social workers are an important stakeholder group to provide training for when it comes to supporting survivors of female genital cutting (FGC), and building the cultural competency of social workers is vital. Within the U.S., however, many social workers, advocates, and social service providers are not adequately equipped to address FGC in their practice. On […]
Legislative Roundtable held in Connecticut to discuss FGC
On November 6th, Sahiyo, as part of the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C, supported a legislative briefing on the topic of female genital cutting (FGC) hosted by the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity (CWCSEO) and Connecticut Representative Jillian Gilchrest. Special guests included Mariya Taher, Co-Founder and U.S. Executive Director of Sahiyo, as […]
Exploring FGC with GBV Service Providers
Female genital cutting (FGC) is an often overlooked facet of gender-based violence (GBV) in the United States. On November 2nd, Sahiyo joined forces with South Asian SOAR to host a training session tailored for service providers in the GBV sector. Facilitators delved into the complexities of FGC, providing attendees with insights into FGC’s various forms […]
Survivors Speak: Stories of Healing and Action
Please join Sahiyo, Asian Women’s Shelter, and Silence Speaks on November 28th at 4 pm Pacific / 7 pm Eastern for an informal one-hour webinar on trauma-informed storytelling to address gender-based violence. In honor of the 2023 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence global campaign (November 25 through December 10), the three organizations are […]
FGM/C Sexual Education & Prevention: An Interview with Dr. Reham Awwad
By Kiah Leone In celebration of World Sexual Health Day, I sat down with Dr. Awwad, the co-founder of Egypt’s first-ever multidisciplinary female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) clinic, Restore, to learn about the care and support offered to FGM/C survivors as they navigate relationships with their bodies, their partners, and themselves. The discussion is shared in […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Social Media and Communications Intern Xinge Lei
Xinge Lei is an undergraduate student at the University of Georgia with a major in public relations and a minor in human services. As the social engagement manager of her university’s Women in Media organization, she believes in the importance and inherent power of women-owned spaces. She strongly advocates for diversity and inclusivity, especially concerning […]