Sahiyo U.S.: United Against Female Genital Cutting

This year, Sahiyo is proud to celebrate our 10th anniversary—a decade of amplifying survivor voices, building community, and working to end female genital cutting (FGC) around the world.When we began in 2015, few spaces existed for South Asian survivors of FGC to speak openly about their experiences. Today, because of your support, thousands of people have found healing, connection, and courage through Sahiyo’s survivor-centered programs. One of these stories is Renée’s: after years of silence and isolation, Renée shared her experience through Sahiyo’s Voices to End FGC storytelling platform. Through the process, she found a safe space to reclaim her voice, connect with other survivors, and begin a journey of healing. Renée’s courage inspired others in her community to break their own silence, showing the ripple effect of sharing one story. You can watch Renée’s full story here: Finding My Voice by Renée Bergstrom.

10 Years of Impact at a Glance

• Survivor Voices Amplified: 88 personal narratives shared through Sahiyo’s Voices to End FGC storytelling platform.
• Community Connection: 76 survivors, activists, and allies engaged through our Activists Retreats.
• Global Reach: Testimony at 65 policy briefings to ensure survivor perspectives are included in shaping safer futures.
• Awareness Raised: Hundreds of media features, research publications, and campaigns breaking silence in South Asian and global communities.

Looking Ahead

Our 10th anniversary is not only a celebration of what we’ve accomplished together—it’s also a call to action. With your continued partnership, we are laying the foundation for the next decade of:

• Expanding survivor support networks,
• Growing youth engagement and community dialogues,
• Strengthening cross-movement collaborations to end gender-based violence.

Thank You for Being Part of This Journey

We could not have reached this milestone without you. Your support has fueled our programs, sustained our team, and—most importantly—reminded survivors like Renee that they are not alone.As we celebrate 10 years, we invite you to continue walking with us into the next decade of change. Together, we can ensure every girl and woman grows up free from harm, with her voice heard and her rights upheld. Thank you for believing in this work.

—The Sahiyo Team