Connecticut Judiciary Committee Hears Testimony on SB 259 to Strengthen Protections for Women Against Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)
By: Khushi Prakash On Monday, March 2nd, SB 259 was heard before the Connecticut General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee. The hearing brought together advocates, policy experts, and survivors who testified to the urgent need for comprehensive state-level protections against FGM/C. They include: Together the speakers highlighted the serious physical, psychological, and social harms associated with FGM/C. […]
Intern spotlight: Khushi Prakash
Every month, Sahiyo likes to highlight the incredible work of our staff members, fellows, and interns. Today, we’re spotlighting Sahiyo’s current Policy Intern, Khushi Prakash. Khushi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Epidemiology/Biostatistics and Biology from the University of Western Ontario. She is now pursuing a Master of Public Health degree specializing in Health Policy & […]
Beyond the Statute: The Role of South Asian Lawyers in Ending FGM/C
Date: April 2nd Time: 12:00pm -1:00pm EST Type: Virtual This one-hour event situates FGM/C within a North American context and explores the role lawyers can play beyond the courtroom in prevention, advocacy, and survivor-centered support. The virtual panel will introduce participants to the current legal framework around FGM/C in the United States and Canada, while […]
Hawaii Policy Update House Bill 2448 Addressing FGM/C Advances out of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs
By Karishma Patel House Bill 2448 (HB 2448) represents an important step forward for Hawaii in strengthening the state’s protections to safeguard girls from gender-based violence, such as FGM/C, and ensuring that survivors of this harmful practice can seek the justice that they deserve. Introduced by Representative Linda Ichiyama, House Bill 2448 criminalizes acts of […]
Silence No More: Confronting Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Hawaii
By Mariya Taher In 2025, Hawaii proudly ranked as the best state in the nation for women’s equality, a testament to the deeply held Hawaiian values of respect and care for wahine. Yet, beneath this veneer of progress, a silent violence persists: female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), a form of gender-based violence outlawed in most of […]
Connecticut Raises Bill to Protect Children from Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Judiciary Committee for 2026 Legislative Session
By: Khushi Prakash On February 18, 2026 the proposal to protect children from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) was formally placed on the Judiciary Committee agenda, and the very next day, Raised Bill No. 259 was introduced. This bill is a needed step forward for survivor protections in Connecticut. What the bill does Next Steps The […]
Advancing Protections: Connecticut Legislators Briefed on the Urgent Need for Comprehensive Legislation Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
By: Khushi Prakash On January 29th, 2026, the Connecticut Coalition to End Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) partnered with the Commission on Women, Chidlren, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity (CWCSEO) to host an informational briefing for Connecticut legislators and their staff at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Survivors, advocates, and members of the CT […]
Orwall’s Senate Bill 6017 Advances Survivor Protections and Support in Washington State
By: Khushi Prakash Senate Bill 6017 is a survivor-centered piece of legislation in Washington State that strengthens protections for individuals impacted by sexual and gender-based violence, including survivors of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Sponsored by Senator Tina Orwall, the bill focuses on reducing re-traumatization, expanding survivor rights, and ensuring state laws better reflect trauma-informed and […]
CALL TO ACTION: Expanding Survivor Protections in Washington State with SB 6017
By: Khushi Prakash The Washington Coalition to end Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) has partnered with Senator Tina Orwall to work on a SB 6017, legislation introduced to build on the existing FGM/C law. The bill is scheduled for hearing on Monday, January 26 at 10:30am PT before the Senate Law and Justice Committee. The primary […]
Know Your Rights: A Resource for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Survivors
By Hiromi Nishida At Sahiyo, we aim to address all facets of female genital cutting (FGC) at the global, national, state, and local levels; our mission is not only about ending FGC, but also about contributing to a broader culture of healing and healthy expression of female sexuality, autonomy, and strength. FGC, also known as […]