GLOBAL LEADERS UNITE IN KENYA FOR HISTORIC CONVENING TO HELP END FGM/C AND CHILD MARRIAGE
NAIROBI / NAIVASHA, Kenya (Aug. 30- Sept. 4, 2026) — Around 150 global leaders, including survivors of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage from 36 countries, will convene in Naivasha, Kenya, for the three-day Justice for Girls convening that kicks off on September 2nd, 2026. The international gathering will feature the launch of a […]
When I Was a Kid, My Body Didn’t Feel Like Mine
By: Asha Oud When I was a kid, I didn’t feel like my body was mine. My childhood took that further: I was actively taught that my body was something to be ashamed of. I wore a pink hijab that went to my knees at religion school, (dugsi, as Somalis call it), when I was […]
Film Screening of “The Beginning”, by Insia Dariwala at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai India
In February of this year, the film “The Beginning”, which was directed by Sahiyo Co-Founder, activist, and filmmaker Insia Dariwala, was screened at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai, India. “The Beginning” is a poignant story about ending the cycle of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C). FGM/C is the deliberate cutting […]
Unsilenced: A Conversation with Tasneem Perry on What it Means to Share Her Story As a Survivor of FGM/C
By: Megan Seaver Earlier this year, Sahiyo’s Co-Editorial Coordinator, Megan Seaver, sat down with long time Sahiyo partner and survivor Tasneem Perry to discuss the recent removal of an article in The Sun, featuring her story about female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), following backlash from the Dawoodi Bohra community. Speaking out about FGM/C and sharing her […]
“Asking the Question”: Reconnecting with Australia’s African Women’s Clinic
By: Kiah Leone It has been nearly two-and-a-half years since I last sat down with Marie Jones to talk about her work with the African Women’s Clinic (AWC), and the care they provide to survivors of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) living in Australia. At the time of our previous conversation, the AWC was Australia’s only […]
What Teens Can Do to Help End FGM/C
By Meher Jammi According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), more than 4.4 million girls are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation or cutting this year (2025). FGM/C is a harmful practice that is rooted in gender inequality, shame, and silence. As teenagers, we often feel powerless when it comes to huge problems […]
The Courage to Speak: Severina reflects on the journey of sharing her FGM/C Story
By: Megan Seaver Severina Lemachokoti is an anti-FGM campaigner, a human rights defender and a gender rights activist from the Samburu community in Northern Kenya. She was interviewed by Sahiyo’s editorial coordinator, Sheena Vasani. In this interview, Severina reflects on her experience being a part of the first Voices to End FGC cohort and how […]
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 […]
Dear Maasi: How Do I Regain Pleasure After Going Through FGM?
Dear Maasi, is a column about everything you wanted to know about sex and relationships but were afraid to ask! It’s a partnership between Sahiyo and WeSpeakOut, and is for all of us who have questions about khatna (female genital mutilation/cutting or FGM/C) and how it impacts our bodies, minds, sexualities and relationships. We welcome […]