“You have no right over your body.” Things khatna supporters have told me
By: Saleha Paatwala Age: 23 Country: India After watching ‘Reflecting Her’ (a film on FGC) that gave me strength to fight, it has now been six months since I set out on this mission to end the hazardous practice of Khatna. In these months, I have had discussions with numerous individuals including my relatives, some […]
A brief report on Sahiyo’s media workshop on khatna among Bohras
On August 8, 2016, Sahiyo conducted its first media training workshop at The Press Club in Mumbai. The workshop was held in partnership with the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT), and its objective was to train journalists on how to sensitively and effectively report on the practice of Female Genital Cutting […]
The Un-Cut
(Originally published on Café Dissensus website on May 5, 2016. Republished here with permission from author). (Trigger Warning: Below is the account of one woman’s experience of her sister undergoing FGC. We thank her for being brave and sharing her story with us). Country: India By Insia Dariwala I still recall that wet rainy day in […]
Receiving the ‘Daughter of Maharashtra’ award: Sahiyo co-founder shares her experience
by Insia Dariwala On July 23, 2016, Sahiyo was felicitated with the very prestigious ‘Daughter of Maharashtra’ award for our continuous efforts in addressing FGM/C in India. Sahiyo co-founder Insia Dariwala, who received the award on behalf of Sahiyo at the ceremony in Pune, shares her experience here: The award, a brainchild of Nari […]
Sahiyo Receives ‘Daughter of Maharashtra’ Award from Nari Samata Manch
Nari Samata Manch has been working on gender issues for last 30 years. Gender-based violence is the core area of Nari Samata Manch work. The organization has institutionalized an award ‘Daughter of Maharashtra’ to honor women who have contributed significantly for the cause of gender equality. The name of the award is a byproduct of a […]
I’m A Survivor of Female Genital Cutting and I’m Speaking Out – As Others Must Too
(This story originally appeared on the Guardian.com on February 8, 2016 and reappeared on the U.S. State Department’s official blog on June 1, 2016. It is republished here with permission). By Maryum Saifee I was sitting in an anthropology seminar at the University of Texas cramming for a final, only half-listening to a fellow classmate […]
Discussing FGC During International Women’s Day event in Pune
On 23rd April, 2016, the University Women’s Association (UWA), along with the Poona Women’s Council, the Family Planning Association of India, Women’s Studies Center, ILS Law College, Pune Women’s Forum, Miloon Saryajani, Nari Samata Manch, General Practitioners Association, Sahiyo, Speak Out on FGM and Sassoon Hospital organised a program that aimed towards creating a dialogue amongst stakeholders […]
The cut that pierced my life
(Trigger Warning: Below is the account of one woman’s experience with FGC. We thank her for being brave and sharing her story with us.) Age: 25 Country of residence: India I was born in July, 1990. A rainbow baby they called me. They knew I would be different. Perhaps even arduous. My late mother often […]
’Everyone’s business’: Representing Dawoodi Bohras at the No FGM Australia panel discussion in Sydney
by Mubina Jamdar Female Genital Mutilation is child abuse and a form of gender-based violence in the name of religion: This was the clear message that emerged from the panel discussion held at The Australian Human Rights Commission office in Sydney on April 29, 2016. The event, hosted by No FGM Australia, was titled […]
Joint statement on Syedna Taher Fakhruddin’s stand against khatna
