The History of Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting via Legislation in Connecticut
By: Katie Bai 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 […]
The History of Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Montana
By: Katie Bai 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 […]
Urge Senator Winfield to Protect Girls from FGM/C in Connecticut
It’s been four long years of advocating for a comprehensive bill that protects girls from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Connecticut, and we’ve finally reached the point of having a raised bill that the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C supports. But we need your help. If you can, please call Senator Winfield and request that […]
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 […]