I’m A Survivor of Female Genital Cutting and I’m Speaking Out – As Others Must Too
(This story originally appeared on the Guardian.com on February 8, 2016 and reappeared on the U.S. State Department’s official blog on June 1, 2016. It is republished here with permission). By Maryum Saifee I was sitting in an anthropology seminar at the University of Texas cramming for a final, only half-listening to a fellow classmate […]
Boston Jammaat Sends Letter Against Khatna/FGC to Members
Respected Syedna, we are all disappointed by your views on female circumcision
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin’s recent wa’az (sermon) in Mumbai has come as a disappointment. For almost three months now, Dawoodi Bohras who wish to see an end to female circumcision (khatna) had been hopeful. Starting with Sydney in February, many Bohra jamaats in different cities around the world have issued letters to their members, asking them to […]
Sahiyo Speaks at United Nations for Commission on the Status of Women Annual Conference
On March 21st, Mariya Taher spoke at a Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) side event entitled: Empowering Muslim Women through Storytelling: A Roundtable Discussion. Sponsored by the Permanent Mission of the United States of America to the United Nations Permanent Observer Mission of Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the United Nations, the event sought […]
Human Rights Day panel at New England School of Law
On March 10, 2016, Sahiyo Co-founder Mariya spoke at the New England School of Law for the event: Human Rights Day Panel: A Poignant Discussion on Female Genital Mutilation. Prior to the beginning of the event, the panel organizers played the Hindustani Times news report FGM: India’s Dark Secret to provide context that FGM/C is […]
Before sharing your khatna story, consider your country’s own legislation against FGC
Recently, a Sahiyo Volunteer asked us a very important question regarding sharing your khatna story and potential legal ramifications against a family. We always find it tremendously encouraging and inspiring for all those who do share their khatna story with us, but at Sahiyo we want those who share their stories to be made aware […]
New U.S. CDC Study Still Under Reports FGC in this Country
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released an updated report on the estimate of women and girls at risk or those who have undergone FGC living in the United States. To read the report, click here. Since the last official estimate in 1990 of how many people were affected by FGC, the […]
Human Rights Day Panel at New England School of Law
On March 10th, 2016, Sahiyo Co-founder, Mariya Taher, will be speaking on the Human Rights Day Panel at the New England School of Law in Boston. More details are below: Topic: A Poignant Discussion on Female Genital Mutilation Date: March 10, 2016 Time: 4:00 pm Location: New England School of Law – 154 Stuart St, Boston, […]
I Will Not Be Silent – Ban Khatna Globally
Zehra Patwa Age: 45 Current Country of Residence: United States In 2014, I saw a video that changed my life. My husband sat me down, told me that this was going to be upsetting and showed me a video. It was a documentary from Australia featuring my cousin’s wife recounting her experience of being cut […]
FEMALE GENITAL CUTTING A Continuing Tradition
(Original Post on Imagining Equality Project Page, published in July 2014 by Global Fund for Women & International Museum of Women) In this deeply personal piece, author Mariya Taher wrestles with and speaks out against khatna, female genital cutting, a tradition practiced by her family community. Read her story and the stories of six other interviewees below. *** Having […]