Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) takes many forms, from partial removal of the clitoris to decreasing the size of the vaginal opening by sewing the labia together and more. No matter which form of FGM/C a person undergoes, the short- and long-term health risks are major, and its consequences go beyond the person directly impacted by it. In a 2021 article for the Council on Foreign Relations written by US Department of State foreign service officer Maryum Saifee, who is also a survivor of FGM/C, she argues that “ending FGM is a precondition for stability and prosperity both at home and abroad.”

Given the consequences of it on health, the economy, national security and more, combating FGM/C is an important issue that also requires cultural competency. Currently, two organizations that are using cultural competency to fight FGM/C in their communities and beyond are Sahiyo and the Hope Foundation for African Women.

Sahiyo

Sahiyo is a founding member of the Global Platform for Action to End Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C). Sahiyo works within communities that actively practice female genital cutting (FGC), engaging in educational dialogue with them about the many risks associated with it. Sahiyo uses the term FGC, because ‘mutilation’ assumes an intent to harm, and approaching communities with hostility undermines its ability to create lasting change. The organization has two chapters: Sahiyo U.S. addresses FGC globally and Sahiyo India focuses on India, especially within Bohra communities where it’s a common practice known as khatna, and where four of its co-founders have connections.

There is currently no national law in India banning FGC, and of the 92 countries with active FGC practices, only 51 have laws explicitly banning it.

The Borgen Project recently sat down with Mariya Taher, one of Sahiyo’s co-founders and their U.S. Executive Director, to discuss the group’s work. Taher spoke about the importance of having laws worldwide that address FGC, stating that “particularly when FGM/C is considered such a widespread social norm within communities, laws and policies can help to influence behavior change when it comes to harmful norms […] there’s a lot of research that does show that having legislation in place that clearly articulates that FGM/C is illegal can help to influence behavior change within impacted communities, too, and to help highlight that a harmful social norm shouldn’t be allowed anymore.” Taher also articulated that policy and legislation shouldn’t just stop at criminalization of FGC, but also include education and outreach into impacted communities.

Additionally, Sahiyo highlights the voices of FGC survivors, whether from the Dawoodi Bohra community, other Asian communities, African communities, white American communities or anywhere else in the world. Taher explained the issue of pluralistic ignorance around FGC, which has hindered progress in eradicating it. Pluralistic ignorance is a social psychology term that “means this idea that no one wants something to continue, but they continue it because they think everyone else does, and that’s how they belong.” She stated that uplifting the voices of survivors, especially through their Voices to End FGM/C program, makes survivors feel less isolated in their experiences, as well as encouraging others to speak out.

Sahiyo maintains a podcast, blog and YouTube channel to share survivors’ stories. In addition, Sahiyo engages in research about FGC, conducts education training about FGC and, in 2021, it launched a program called Bhaiyo to engage men in the fight against FGC.

Hope Foundation for African Women

Located in Kenya, the Hope Foundation for African Women (HFAW) works on reducing FGM/C primarily among the Kisii and Maasai communities. Although Kenya banned FGM/C in 2011 and the High Court of Kenya upheld that ban in 2021, around 97% of Kisii and Maasai girls in Kenya still undergo FGM/C, as the practice goes on underground.

HFAW combats FGM/C through education about its risks and impact on the community and through leadership training. The organization has provided training to 120 health and human rights personnel, students and staff in nine schools and 25 men, some of whom work in law enforcement. It is also training at least 50 youth to become anti-FGM youth leaders.

Looking Ahead

Combating FGM/C appears to be a challenging feat. Taher shared the sentiment that “no matter how much we’ve talked about this with some community members […] they will be very staunch in continuing it because they very much believe that it’s connected to their identity in some way.” The dedication that Sahiyo and HFAW have toward combating FGM/C, however, is tremendous and their culturally competent approach could result in lasting change.

– Natalie Coyne

Photo: Courtesy of Sahiyo