Why We Must Stop H.R. 3492: Protecting Youth and the Movement Against FGM/C
By: Khushi Prakash Congress is currently considering bill H.R. 3492, the Protect Children’s Innocence Act. At first glance, the bill appears to strengthen protections against female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). However, in reality, this bill goes far beyond banning FGM/C by redefining gender-affirming healthcare as “genital or bodily mutilation” and “chemical castration”. If passed, this bill […]
The History of Legislation Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in New Mexico
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a harmful social norm involving the partial or total removal of female-assigned external genitalia or other injury to the female-assigned genital organs for non-medical reasons. Globally, over 230 million girls and women have undergone FGM/C. FGM/C has a long history in the United States, and currently, over half a million […]
“The Weight of Silence” – What an Indian Dawoodi Bohra Discovered at an American FGM/C Retreat
By: Anonymous Twelve women of all ages sat patiently around neatly stacked piles of fuzzy, colorful craft sticks—black, brown, white, some even blood-red- but as the Sahiyo retreat progressed, the craft table appeared increasingly disorganized. I assume it was because of the intimate and uncomfortable conversations we were having. Most of the participants, including me, […]
Why I Came Back
By: Nur Bookwala Both sides of my family are Bohri. My Dad was raised Baha’i in a joint family with a Bohri matriarch – his grandmother. My mother was raised in a nuclear Bohri family in Bandra. My mom would convert to the Baha’i Faith in her late 20s when she moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. […]
Connecticut Bill Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, Senate Bill 1438, Fails to be Raised for a Vote
By: Juliet Shires At the beginning of the 2025 legislative session, passing a bill in Connecticut (CT) protecting children from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) seemed promising. “An Act Prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation” (SB 1438) marked the first time a bill was raised in the past five years of advocacy by the Connecticut Coalition to End […]
10 Years of Sahiyo: Spotlighting Bhaiyo Volunteer Brad Mazon
In December 2025, Sahiyo will celebrate its 10th anniversary, and we’re hosting a campaign to mark the occasion! Starting in July and running through December, we will be highlighting each of our programs, reflecting on our accomplishments, and planning for the future. This month, we are highlighting Sahiyo’s male allies program, Bhaiyo. Bhaiyo is a […]
10 Years of Sahiyo: Spotlighting Bhaiyo Program Participant and Sahiyo Administrative Manager Chandni Shiyal
December 2025, Sahiyo will celebrate its 10th anniversary, and we’re hosting a campaign to mark the occasion! Starting in July and running through December, we will be highlighting each of our programs, reflecting on our accomplishments, and planning for the future. This month, we are highlighting Sahiyo’s male allies program, Bhaiyo. Bhaiyo is a resource […]
10 Years of Sahiyo: Spotlighting Activists Retreat Alumni Zehra Patwa
In December 2025, Sahiyo will celebrate its 10th anniversary, and we’re hosting a campaign to mark the occasion! Starting in July and running through December, we will be highlighting each of our programs, reflecting on our accomplishments, and planning for the future. This month, we’re focusing on and talking to past Sahiyo Activists Retreat attendees. […]
10 Years of Sahiyo: Spotlighting Activists Retreat Alumni Farzana Doctor
In December 2025, Sahiyo will celebrate its 10th anniversary, and we’re hosting a campaign to mark the occasion! Starting in July and running through December, we will be highlighting each of our programs, reflecting on our accomplishments, and planning for the future. This month, we’re focusing on and talking to past Sahiyo Activists Retreat attendees. […]
Joint Statement on the Tragic Death of a One-Month-Old from FGM/C in The Gambia
The Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C is shocked, angered, and heartbroken by the tragic preventable death of a one-month-old baby girl on August 10, 2025, in Wellingara, The Gambia, as a result of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). We extend our deepest condolences to the grieving family and community members impacted by this tragic […]