Engaging the Next Generation: A Conversation on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
By Katie Bai On Tuesday, February 18th, Sahiyo had the privilege of speaking to students at a Connecticut high school government class at the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering in Stamford, Connecticut (CT). Our presentation focused on the impact of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) on Connecticut communities, the urgent need for state laws, and […]
Help a Change Maker Through the FGM/C Policy Advocate Care Fund
In late 2025, Sahiyo introduced The FGM/C Policy Advocate Care Fund, a partnership between Sahiyo and The U.S. End FGM/C Network. This fund was created to provide resources to the incredible advocates and activists working to end this harmful practice and support survivors of FGM/C. The goals of this fund are as follows: The advocates […]
Intern Spotlight: Policy Intern Rachel Aguilar
Rachel Aguilar is a fourth-year at the University of Chicago where she is a Dean’s, University, and Dewey Scholar. She majors in Political Science and minors in Inequality, Social Problems, and Change. Rachel recently joined Sahiyo as a Policy Intern. How did you first get involved with Sahiyo? I first got involved with Sahiyo because […]
Sahiyo’s response to recent Executive Orders by the Trump Administration
To our Sahiyo community, We realize that the past few weeks have been stressful to say the least. With the new administration’s slew of Executive Orders targeting the most vulnerable and the dismantlement of DEI programs at various organizations, we acknowledge that fear and trepidation are on the rise. If you’re in need of support, […]
Sahiyo condemns recent executive order conflating female genital mutilation/cutting with gender-affirming care
At Sahiyo, we are disheartened and frustrated by the harmful conflation between female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and gender-affirming care made in a recent Executive Order issued by the Trump Administration. While this is unfortunately not the first attempt made by government officials to co-opt anti-FGM/C legislation to criminalize gender-affirming care for transgender and non-binary youth, […]
Calling CT Residents to Action – Ban FGM/C in Connecticut
Connecticut legislatures have recently introduced House Bill 6596 to protect girls and women from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Connecticut is one of only nine states without legislation protecting children from FGM/C. FGM/C is a human rights violation and an extreme form of gender-based violence which causes severe physical and psychological damage. The introduction of this […]
Press Conference Announced In Honor of International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGMC)
Hartford, CT – In Honor of International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGMC), State Representative Jillian Gilchrest and State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria along with the Connecticut Coalition to End FGMC will hold a press conference to raise awareness about this critical issue, discuss ongoing advocacy efforts, and highlight House Bill 6596: An […]
Learning the complicated history of passing FGM/C legislation in Maine
By Sophia Lynn Jones As a Maine resident, I was surprised to learn that my state is one of nine left in the U.S. without any laws protecting children from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Upon doing more research, I discovered Maine’s complicated history of attempting to pass anti-FGM/C legislation, as well as the intersectional issues […]
The Washington Coalition to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Interview Series: Amie Kujabi
By: Sara Khattak Recently, policy interns at Sahiyo have been interviewing members of the Washington Coalition to End FGM/C to learn more about coalition member’s important work toward creating policy on female genital cutting (FGC). Sahiyo’s policy intern, Sara Khattak, talked to coalition member Amie Kujabi, a prominent advocate in the work to end FGC. Amie […]
How can you, as an ordinary person, help end female genital cutting?
By: Sara Khattak We hear a lot of sayings about creating change. “You can make a difference” is a common phrase used to inspire people to become more engaged in the world around them. But that phrase isn’t always helpful. How do people actually make a difference? Most Americans rely on their elected officials to […]