The overturning of Roe v. Wade and its implications for survivors of FGC
By Trisha Kini On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court made the devastating decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, thus denying women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) the right to safe abortions and bodily autonomy. Bodily autonomy, the foundation for gender equality, is a fundamental human right that impacts health, education, income, […]
Washington State becomes 41st state to pass law against FGM/C
Sahiyo, as part of the Washington Coalition to End FGM/C, is ecstatic to announce that on April 20th, 2023, Washington state Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5453 concerning female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) into law. This law creates a private right of action for survivors of FGM/C; prohibits providers from performing FGM/C on a minor; […]
Washington State makes progress to end FGM/C
Washington State is one of the remaining ten U.S. states without any law that addresses and prohibits female genial mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). FGM/C is a human rights violation and form of child abuse and gender-based violence that involves removal of the female genitalia for non-medical purposes. This gap in state protection has left children in Washington […]
Washington Senate Bill 5453 moves to House Appropriations Committee
In Washington state, Senate Billl 5453 concerning female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) recently passed the House Committee unanimously, and is now scheduled for a public hearing with the House Appropriations Committee on Friday, March 31st at 1:30 PM PST. The bill, which was introduced on January 18th, aims to: create a private right of action for […]
Washington Coalition hosts educational webinar on female genital cutting
On March 9th, the Washington Coalition to End FGM/C, in partnership with Sahiyo, The U.S. End FGM/C Network, Children’s Alliance, and Mother Africa, held a webinar called Protecting Children in Washington State from Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting with the goal of drawing attention to this human rights violation and how it impacts children in the State. […]
Washington SB 5453 moves to the House
SB5453 in Washington State is onto a hearing in the State’s House for Monday, March 13th after passing the Senate unanimously. To express your support of SB5453: You can vote PRO by clicking this link. This is the quickest and easiest way to express your support of this bill! For WA based members, click here to testify In-person If you […]
Calling for a Global Summit to end FGM/C
On March 7th, the Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C issued a joint letter calling for a Global Summit to end female genital cutting/mutilation (FGM/C). The Global Platform, a consortium of civil society organizations, champions, survivors, and grassroots representatives united to support the abandonment and prevention of FGM/C, also called attention to the funding […]
A conversation with Washington activist Absa Samba: SB 5453 a product of collaboration and persistence
By Rachel Wine As the Washington Senate Bill 5453 concerning female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) moves forward in the legislature, I had the honor of speaking with Absa Samba, who has been instrumental in advocating for legislation on FGM/C in Washington state. Absa’s advocacy journey began over a decade ago, when Absa was in middle school. […]
My thoughts on the Washington Senate Bill to end FGM/C
By FA When I was a teenager, my family discouraged me from speaking out against khatna, or female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), for fear of repercussions from our community. I wanted to use my voice, but I did not want to disappoint my parents or bring shame to my family. As I followed the Detroit FGM […]
Washington Senate Bill 5453 concerning female genital mutilation/cutting moves forward in the Senate
On Tuesday, February 14th at 4:00 pm PST, SB 5453 concerning female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Washington will move to the Senate Ways and Means Committee and for a Public Hearing. Here is how to get involved: Statement from the Washington Coalition: We are a newly formed Coalition working to end the practice of […]