💌Dear Maasi aka @farzanadoctor.bsky.social talks about clitoral anatomy and pleasure, read the full colum: sahiyo.org/sahiyo-blog/... 👉Submit your question: bit.ly/DearMaasi

On February 23rd, Sahiyo Executive Director Mariya Taher delivered an opening statement to the Human Rights Council. Read Mariya's statement:

⚖️Yesterday, Sahiyo partnered with the South Asian Law Student Association (SALSA) at Columbia Law School to host a teach-in on FGM/C in the U.S. for future legal professionals. 🤝Thank you to our advisory board member Kaneez and our volunteer Nur for leading this conversation!

Join us and SABA for a virtual panel to explore FGM/C within a North American context and highlight the role lawyers can play beyond the courtroom in prevention, advocacy, and survivor-centered support. 👉 Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-IpAIKHnSFWLvg0waBcL0w

House Bill 2448 criminalizes female genital cutting (FGC), supports survivors, and strengthens state prevention measures in Hawaii. Learn more:

As the “best state in the nation for women’s equality,” Hawaii is one of 9 states without legislation that makes female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) illegal. Read more:

Bill No. 259 increases survivor protections in Connecticut and criminalises female genital cutting (FGC).  Read more:

One of the 9 states without anti-female genital cutting (FGC) legislation, Connecticut must take action. Read more:

Wishing you a joyous Eid filled with love, peace, and happiness. Eid Mubarak to all who are celebrating🌙✨

Senate Bill 6017 is a survivor-centered piece of legislation that can strengthen Washington’s commitment to survivor dignity and equity if passed. Read more about the bill:

🤝Our last #CSW70 event with The Girl Generation! Our Advisory Board Member, Kaneez Madraswalla, represented Sahiyo, sharing insights on survivor leadership and community-centered approaches to ending FGM/C and drawing on evidence from Africa-led movement building.

On February 6, 2026, the HOPE MA Coalition (Holistic Organized Partnerships to End FGM/C in Massachusetts) was launched with speeches and performances. Learn more about this event:

🌎✊Sahiyo is thrilled to attend the #WD2026 Conference! This space created by us, for us advances the future of gender equality and social justice, driving collective action for bodily autonomy. More information on our Concurrent Session coming soon! @womendeliver.bsky.social

The proposal to prohibiting female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Connecticut has drawn bipartisan support since it was first proposed in 2018, but it has yet to pass. Learn more:

Yesterday, Sahiyo held a parallel event at #CSW70, “Dismantling Racism in Anti-FGM/C Movements: Path to Decolonial, Survivor-led Advocacy”. This event addressed the crucial need to dismantle racism within the movement to end FGM/C.

The Sahiyo Endowment provides financial support for all of Sahiyo’s programs, securing a future where survivors will continue to be heard, empowered, and supported. Learn more:

Discrimination against women and girls affects every aspect of their lives. Achieving gender equality is essential to building peaceful and inclusive societies. This #InternationalWomensDay, we asked women human rights defenders: What do equal rights and justice mean to you?

🤝We're looking forward to seeing you at #CSW70 in New York! Join us in-person and virtually as we foster honest dialogue and solidarity in the movement to end FGM/C.  📲Learn more and register: https://sahiyo.org/sahiyo-blog/sahiyo-at-csw70-survivor-led-anti-racist-advocacy-in-action.html

This Monday, join us, Equality Now, and the US End FGM/C network for a panel, examining the legal and protection risks of the conflation of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and gender-affirming care for survivors. Register: http://bit.ly/3OCMtAr

We’re looking for Fundraising and Auction Interns! This is a remote internship (10 hrs/week for 6 months, US-based) where you’ll help coordinate community outreach programs and increase education about female genital cutting (FGC). Apply: bit.ly/ApplySahiyo

Join us in NYC as we explore key findings from the Race X FGM/C Position Paper, outlining pathways toward decolonial, survivor-led advocacy. The presentation will be followed by a reception.   Register: bit.ly/RacexFGMC

Connecticut is one of 9 states without legislation protecting children from female genital cutting (FGC). CT must demonstrate its commitment to the rights of women and girls by passing SB 259, An Act Concerning Female Genital Mutilation. ✍️Sign the Call to Action today:

Join us and the South Asian Bar Association of North America for a virtual panel about the role of South Asian lawyers in ending female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Panelists will discuss how FGM/C presents in practice and the challenges of translating laws into protection and care.

During a female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) 101 training session, the HOPE MA team shared essential knowledge about FGM/C and tools to support those affected by FGM/C. Learn more about FGM/C 101 training:

As UNMUTED begins streaming on Kinema, we’re sharing a few BTS moments from production. So proud of everyone involved, including Jenny and Renee, for sharing their stories. 🎬 Watch the full series on Kinema by visiting: shorturl.at/dWWrJ or searching “UNMUTED” on Kinema.com

Supporting efforts to amend legislation related to female genital cutting (FGC) and learning about human rights advocacy and policy, Policy Intern Hiromi Nishida reflects on their time with Sahiyo. Read more:

During a female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) 101 training held by the HOPE MA team, attendees deepened their understanding of FGM/C. Read more about the training at:

Join us in New York at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women #CSW70 for a session examining how racialized narratives impact solidarity and survivors of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).  👉 Register now: bit.ly/SahiyoCSW

The DMV Area Coalition to End FGM/C is hosting a webinar this February 25, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm EST, focused on the progress made and the work still needed to address female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Maryland. 📲Register now: https://bit.ly/MarylandWebinar

Sahiyo's Executive Director, Mariya Taher, joined the Wise Women with Daisy Khan podcast, confronting the reality of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), why it persists, and why preventing it is both a moral and religious imperative. 🎧Listen now:

Ramadan Mubarak! Wishing you a prosperous month filled with peace and light. 🌙🕌

Examining the long-term physical and psychological effects of male circumcision and female genital cutting (FGC), the ethics surrounding genital alteration and consent are explored. Read more:

In this blog post, Severina reflects on her Voices to End FGC project, its impact on her life, and her work as an activist against female genital cutting (FGC).  Learn more at:

The HOPE MA Coalition Launch Event featured community conversation and collective learning to lay the foundation for ongoing collaboration to end FGM/C in Massachusetts. Thanks to Crocodile River Music and Aseemkala Initiative for your performances!

Read about editorial intern Abigail Moisan’s experience as a part of the Sahiyo team. A firm believer in the power of personal stories to drive change, Abigail’s contributions to the Sahiyo team are invaluable.  Learn more at:

Dr. Leyla Siirad Hussien Gikand and Sahiyo took to London to address anti-Blackness and racial hierarchies within the movement to end female genital cutting (FGC).  Read more:

Read about Dr. Zinia Afrin Doza’s experience learning about female genital cutting(FGC) and the impactful work done by The Ethiopia Care Project.  To learn more, visit: sahiyo.org/sahiyo-blog/healing-resistance-and-care-what-ethiopias-movement-against-female-genital-cutting-taught-me.html

“What I wanted to do then was turn what was taken from me into language, to reclaim my body through words. Justice took the form of telling my story,”- The Leaking House by Inisa Jaliwala   To read the poem, visit: sahiyo.org/sahiyo-blog/the-leaking-house.html

Using Venmo, you can now donate to Sahiyo. Your generosity helps further our mission to end FGM/C, and we are grateful for all the support! 🎉💜  To donate to Sahiyo, search for @SahiyoVoices on Venmo!

Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria joined the CT Coalition to End FGM/C and advocates to call for an end to FGM/C in Connecticut and announced plans to introduce legislation banning the practice.

🤝As Sahiyo’s male allyship program, Bhaiyo supports the education of male allies in their support of FGM/C survivors and to prevent this form of gender based violence.  English application: bit.ly/BhaiyoApplication Hindi application: bit.ly/BhaiyoHindiApp

On February 6, survivors and advocates launched the HOPE MA Coalition to strengthen survivor-centered care and prevention statewide. 🔗

Today, on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM/C, the HOPE MA Coalition launched. We’re honored to receive an official citation from Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. Thanks for the leadership of Sen. Robyn Kennedy and Reps. Natalie Higgins & Jay Livingstone

⚖️🤝The CT Coalition to End FGM/C led a briefing for Connecticut legislators ahead of the 2026 legislative session. Survivors advocates, coalition members, and legislative champions highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive state-level protections against FGM/C.

The Washington Coalition to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) partnered with Senator Tina Orwall to introduce legislation that aims to expand protections for sexual assault to include survivors of ALL acts of sexual violence, including FGM/C. Learn more:

Join the volunteer program at Sahiyo and help further our mission to end female genital cutting (FGC). Contribute your skills on a schedule that works best for you! 🎉 Visit bit.ly/SahiyoVolunteer to sign up!

To strengthen Maryland’s response to female genital cutting (FGC), activists called for critical updates to policies regarding FGC. To read more, visit:

📄 In this new blog post Dr. Arefa Cassoobhoy interviews Dr. Stacia Crochet, about finding medical care for survivors of female genital cutting (FGC). https://f.mtr.cool/fjslqbjkuf

We want to hear YOUR voice this Women's History Month! Share your video, quote, or creative piece answering one of our prompts, and help us celebrate and uplift women everywhere.  📲To submit, visit bit.ly/SubmitSahiyo

📝 Dear Maasi answers everything you wanted to know about sex and relationships but were afraid to ask! Read the full column at https://f.mtr.cool/cghwdhgbfl