Joanna Vergoth chosen as 2021 CRAVE Foundation for Women honoree
We are proud to announce that Sahiyo U.S. Advisory Board Member Joanna Vergoth, LCSW, NCPsyA, was chosen as a 2021 CRAVE Foundation for Women grant recipient. She is a psychotherapist, specializing in trauma and was choosen as a recipient for her committed activism of over 20 years in helping those impacted by Female Genital Cutting […]
Sahiyo collaborates further with Asian Women’s Shelter to support Survivors
Since January 2022, Sahiyo has been in collaboration with Asian Women’s Shelter (AWS) to increase capacity of services for survivors of female genital cutting (FGC). In June, Sahiyo conitnued with trainings on FGC for the AWS staff and volunteers to help educate their organization on the context of FGC in the United Stataes, who FGC […]
My experience is a tool to create social change
By Zahra Qaiyumi In the process of creating a video as part of the Voices to End FGC project, I was able to pull scattered thoughts and memories into a clear and concise picture. The workshop allowed me to contemplate the different aspects of my experience as a survivor and helped me focus in on […]
Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Belong in the Movement to End FGC
By Anonymous I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Though for much of my life, “victim” felt like the most honest word. Those experiences have shaped my relationships, both to others and with myself, so that forging an identity outside of that trauma is an impossibility. What happened to me exists in public court […]
Notre Webinaire À Venir: Comprendre les normes sociales pour mettre fin aux mutilations génitales féminines
À propos du webinaire Même si les mutilations génitales féminines (MGF) sont condamnées par de nombreux traités et conventions à l’échelle internationnale, elles continuent d’être pratiquées conformément aux normes sociales. Les normes sociales ont une influence puissante sur les communautés et orientent les comportements, y compris les rôles, les attitudes et les valeurs de genre, […]
Upcoming webinar: Understanding Social Norms to End Female Genital Cutting
About the Webinar Even though Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is condemned by many international treaties and conventions, it continues to be performed in accordance with social norms. Social norms have a powerful influence over communities and guide behaviour, including gender roles, attitudes, and values, which contribute to FGC. On July 1st, our webinar will explore […]
Reflections on research: Digital Storytelling as a narrative intervention for survivors of FGM/C
Where, and how, does agency (or one’s capacity to act) manifest itself for survivors of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C)? How can survivors heal and find community with each other? These were two of the questions I pursued through a research project on the effect of digital storytelling on survivors of FGM/C, based on the long-running Voices to […]
Sahiyo volunteer spotlight: Development intern Avery Boudreau
Avery is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in statistics and economics. She is passionate about women’s and animals’ rights, international education, and environmental sustainability, and hopes to utilize her research skills to analyze data and diction to create change and conversations in these areas. She is […]
Reflecting on the 5th Annual Activist Retreat for members of the Bohra Community
By Zehra Patwa From June 3rd to June 5th, we hosted our 5th Annual Sahiyo Bohra Anti-FGC Activist Retreat, which occurred virtually. Once again, we had new faces and alumni join us for the retreat with a diverse mix of experiences, personalities and genders, which made for some very interesting conversations. This was our first retreat […]
Sahiyo U.S. joins South Asian SOAR as member organization
Sahiyo U.S. is grateful to be welcomed as one of the newest member organizations of South Asian SOAR, a U.S.-based coalition working to end gender-based violence (GBV) in the South Asian diaspora. SOAR is a national collective of survivors, 30+ organizations, and allies who are passionate about changing the high prevalence of GBV among South […]