Reflections from a Retreat in The Adirondacks: Foundational Conversations
By Anonymous Between May 13th and 17th, Sahiyo, Equality Now, and The U.S. End FGM/C Network hosted a convening of FGM/C survivors, advocates, policy experts, and LGBTQIA+ allies at a retreat center in the Adirondack Mountains. Participants gathered to hold conversations centered on building shared understanding and strategic messaging around bodily autonomy, female genital mutilation/cutting […]
Reflections from a Retreat in The Adirondacks: Intersex and FGM/C activists in conversation
By: Sean Saifa Wall Between May 13th and 17th, Sahiyo, Equality Now, and The U.S. End FGM/C Network hosted a convening of FGM/C survivors, advocates, policy experts, and LGBTQIA+ allies at a retreat center in the Adirondack Mountains. Participants gathered to hold conversations centered on building shared understanding and strategic messaging around bodily autonomy, female […]
Reflections from a Retreat in The Adirondacks: Confronting Leopold’s Ghost and The Fight for Autonomy and Democracy
Between May 13th and 17th, Sahiyo, Equality Now, and The U.S. End FGM/C Network hosted a convening of FGM/C survivors, advocates, policy experts, and LGBTQIA+ allies at a retreat center in the Adirondack Mountains Participants gathered to hold conversations centered on building shared understanding and strategic messaging around bodily autonomy, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), gender-affirming […]
Stepping into Advocacy: Reflecting on Maryland’s New FGM/C Law as a Policy Intern
By Harshita Dasot Maryland signed SB907/HB1389 into law on April 14, 2026, strengthening state protections against the human rights violation that is female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). As someone who started as a Policy Intern with Sahiyo in April of this year, my first few days were an incredible introduction to how policy change actually happens. […]
Harmful Conflations: Why Updated Legislation is Critical to Ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and Protecting Survivors in California
By Karishma Patel On January 28, 2025, President Trump’s executive order titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutiliation” claimed that gender affirming care for transgender youth is the same thing as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). A Joint Statement by Sahiyo, The U.S. End FGM/C Network, Equality Now, and The World Professional Association for Transgender […]
Introducing Sahiyo’s Global Ambassador Program
We are pleased to announce the launch of Sahiyo’s Global Ambassador Program, an initiative designed to cultivate a robust community committed to gender justice in support of Sahiyo’s mission. Our Ambassadors are motivated, dedicated individuals who can champion the organization’s mission and elevate awareness about female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) both in their local communities and […]
Reflections from a Retreat in The Adirondacks: Finding Ourselves in Each Other’s Stories
Between May 13th and 17th, Sahiyo, Equality Now, and The U.S. End FGM/C Network hosted a convening of FGM/C survivors, advocates, policy experts, and LGBTQIA+ allies at a retreat center in the Adirondack Mountains Participants gathered to hold conversations centered on building shared understanding and strategic messaging around bodily autonomy, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), gender-affirming […]
A victory for the movement: Colombia adopts Latin America’s first law against FGM/C
The Americas Alliance to End FGM/C celebrates the Colombian Congress’s approval of Bill 440 of 2025, which establishes a comprehensive framework for the prevention, response, and eradication of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Approved by the Senate on June 10, 2026, the legislation marks the first time a country in Latin America has adopted a law […]
Reflecting on the New England Sex Education Conference
By: Olivia Harris On May 27th, 2026, the HOPE MA team presented a workshop titled “Introduction to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) for Health Educators” at the New England Sex Education Conference (NESEC), a regional gathering bringing together health educators, school-based practitioners, and community-based advocates from across the region. The 60-minute workshop drew a diverse audience […]
What’s Next for the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C?
By: Khushi Prakash On May 7th, 2026, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed SB 259 into law, marking a historic milestone in the state’s efforts to address female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). With this law, Connecticut became the 42nd state in the nation to enact legislation protecting women and girls from FGM/C. The passage of SB 259 […]