Healing as Activism: One cannot give from an empty cup
By Anonymous Emotional burnout looms over my head like my very own Sword of Damocles, waiting to strike me down for being woefully human. But the above saying travels with me, like my shield against self-doubt, offering ownership of my humanity, acceptance, and assurance that it is okay to be tired, okay to rest. The […]
Sahiyo hosts workshop on FGC and storytelling for Nomad Travelers
For nearly the whole month of November, Sahiyo’s co-founder and U.S. Executive Director Mariya Taher was in Panama with the Noma Collective, a community of remote working professionals. On November 10th, she hosted a workshop for the community to help raise awareness on the topic of female genital cutting (FGC), which many individuals were unaware […]
My first encounter of female genital cutting
Trigger warning: Below is one person’s account of her experience with female genital mutilation in India. This story may be disturbing and/or triggering for some. We thank her for being brave and sharing her story with us. By Anonymous “Sit here..here on this steel plate. [Takes out a pair of sharp scissors]. Shh! Just […]
Volunteer spotlight: Development intern Alyson Maye
Alyson is an undergraduate student at Emmanuel College. Throughout high school, she gained a passion for learning about human rights. This passion continued into college and ultimately led her to pursuing a degree in International Studies with a concentration in Security and Diplomacy. She believes that in order to create a world where women are […]
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): A survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care professionals in urban/ rural India
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has been performed on an estimated 200 million women and girls worldwide. Health care professionals play a significant role in the prevention of FGM/C. They can support and educate patients and communities about the advantages of ending the practice. However, health care professionals (HCPs) frequently lack the resources and education required […]
Sahiyo begins seventh Voices to End FGM/C Workshop
In collaboration with StoryCenter and Asian Women’s Shelter (AWS), Sahiyo began the seventh Voices to End FGM/C workshop on October 24th. This first meeting was held with participants from across the United States. The Voices to End FGM/C project is a digital storytelling workshop that aims to mobilize a critical mass of storytellers and activists […]
Sahiyo presents at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Minnesota
On November 2nd, Sahiyo Programs Coordinator Catherine Cox and current volunteer (as well as former Development Assistant) Sarrah Hussein partnered on a presentation for a class at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Minnesota on the topic of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). The presentation included some background on what FGM/C is, it’s prevalence in […]
Reflecting on ‘Moving Connecticut Ahead: Protecting Girls from FGM/C’, a webinar
By Meg Sinnott On September 29th, Sahiyo partnered with The CT Coalition to End FGM/C and The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, and Equitable Access for All to host Moving Connecticut Ahead: Protecting Girls from FGM/C. This webinar was held to inform legislators, community members, and other stakeholders on the issue of female genital cutting […]
Dear Maasi: “Should I confront the person responsible for my khatna (FGM/C)?”
Dear Maasi is a column about everything you wanted to know about sex and relationships but were afraid to ask! It’s a partnership between Sahiyo and WeSpeakOut, and is for all of us who have questions about khatna (FGM/C) and how it impacts our bodies, minds, sexualities and relationships. We welcome you to submit your […]
Sahiyo Donor Spotlight: Sarrah Hussain
Sarrah Hussain is currently a senior undergraduate student at Stanford University studying human biology and computer science. Her relationship with Sahiyo began with the Development Team, first as a Development Intern, then transitioning to Development Assistant, and finally, becoming Development Coordinator. For her undergraduate honors thesis, Sarrah is partnering with Sahiyo and Asian’s Women’s Shelter […]