Volunteer Spotlight: Policy Intern Juliet Shires
Juliet Shires is a rising junior at San Diego State University studying English with minors in Political Science and French. She is passionate about making meaningful policy changes accompanied by comprehensive educational programming. Juliet is excited to be working with Sahiyo to join the fight against gender-based violence, bringing marginalized voices to the forefront. When […]
Building Support for the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C After Failure in 2024 Legislative Session
By Juliet Shires In the 2024 legislative session, the Connecticut Judiciary Committee failed to raise a bill that would protect children from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Rep. Jilian Gilchrest (D) would have sponsored the bill to create educational and outreach programs, issue civil remedies for survivors, and make FGM/C a clear criminal offense in the […]
Our Fight to End FGM in The Gambia: Who is Listening?
By: Jaha Dukureh, a Gambian anti-female genital mutilation campaigner and the founder and executive director of Safe Hands for Girls. Jaha was named TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People for 2016 and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018. After I spent years campaigning to outlaw female circumcision, finally my country started to listen. In 2015, The Gambia […]
Calling on the CT legislature to protect girls from FGM/C
A bill to protect children from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Connecticut (CT) has not been raised by the Connecticut Judiciary Committee in the 2024 legislative session. This news comes as a shock to many survivors of FGM/C and anti-FGM/C activists who have been campaigning for the bill to be introduced. The bill would have […]
Zehra Patwa on Sahiyo and the Coalition to End FGM/C’s recent panel discussion with Connecticut legislators – and why it was a positive step forward
By Sheena Vasani Connecticut is one of nine states that have yet to enact a law protecting children from FGM/C, which is why Sahiyo along with other Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C members recently held the “Preventing FGM/C in Connecticut – Why Comprehensive Laws Matter” event. On January 25th, panelists educated legislators about the urgent […]
Connecticut Hosts a Legislative Briefing on Jan 25th
On January 25, 2025, the Connecticut (CT) Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, Representative Jillian Gilchrest, CT General Assembly Bi-Partisan Women’s Caucus, and the CT Coalition to End FGM/C held an event, just prior to the next legislative session, entitled Preventing FGM/C in Connecticut – Why Comprehensive Laws Matter. Special guests and co-hosts […]
Legislative Roundtable held in Connecticut to discuss FGC
On November 6th, Sahiyo, as part of the Connecticut Coalition to End FGM/C, supported a legislative briefing on the topic of female genital cutting (FGC) hosted by the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity (CWCSEO) and Connecticut Representative Jillian Gilchrest. Special guests included Mariya Taher, Co-Founder and U.S. Executive Director of Sahiyo, as […]
My experience at the Global Woman Awards and Walk to End FGM
By Rachel Wine On September 30th, I had the honor of joining survivors, activists, and allies from around the world to participate in the 9th Annual Global Woman Awards the 10th Annual Walk to End FGM. I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with my peers in the anti-FGM/C field in-person, and share in […]
Volunteer spotlight: Policy intern Delia Donovan
Delia Donovan is an undergraduate student at Emmanuel College in Boston who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in theater arts. She is involved with multiple groups and organizations on campus, including Law and Legal Studies Club, Emmanuel Theater, and Radical Hope. As someone with a passion for social justice […]
Sahiyo U.S. Executive Director, Mariya Taher, receives Global Woman Award
Sahiyo is excited to announce that our U.S. Executive Director, Mariya Taher, has received a Global Woman Award from the Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation, for her work in Policy Making and Legal accomplishments. The Global Woman Awards were created in 2015 as a way to recognize the achievements of women, men, and students who are […]