Sahiyo U.S., Silence Speaks, HOPE MA, and Saheli would like to announce a special workshop for immigrant and refugee survivors of gender-based violence and their allies. 

This workshop will bring together individuals from diverse immigrant and refugee communities to share stories of resilience, healing, and collective strength. Through storytelling, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and explore how stigma, isolation, and gaps in culturally responsive support systems have impacted their lives and communities.

The workshop will foster solidarity across immigrant and refugee communities and uplift stories that highlight the importance of community care, allyship, and collective advocacy against gender-based violence.

When:

Virtual orientation sessions will take place on:

• July 28 and August 4, 2026
  • 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time

The in-person workshop sessions will take place on:

• August 8 and August 9, 2026
  • 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time
  • The event location is near the Boston University campus, and the precise address will be shared exclusively with confirmed attendees.

Participants must be able to attend all workshop sessions in order to be confirmed.

Who:

The workshop is open to people in the greater Boston area who are part of immigrant and/or refugee communities and want to share their stories of surviving gender-based violence.Additionally, advocates, family members, and allies who support survivors may apply. We especially encourage participants who are interested in strengthening solidarity in efforts to address gender-based violence.

What:

Participants will learn how to create a short digital story using voice narration, photographs, artwork, and video clips. Through a collaborative and trauma-informed process guided by facilitators from Sahiyo and Silence Speaks, participants will share true stories drawn from their lived experiences and perspectives.

No previous storytelling or media production experience is required. To learn about the process, watch, The Making of Sahiyo Voices 

Following the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to share their stories publicly as part of Sahiyo’s ongoing education and advocacy work to end FGM/C and address gender-based violence in immigrant communities.

About the Organizers:

Sahiyo works to empower Asian and other communities to end female genital cutting and create positive social change through dialogue, education, and collaboration based on community involvement.

Silence Speaks uses storytelling, creative arts practices, and participatory media to support the telling and witnessing of stories that all too often remain unspoken and unheard, creating a lasting record of courageously outspoken voices.

HOPE MA (Holistic Organized Partnerships to End FGM/C in MA) is a Massachusetts-based coalition launched in February 2026 to prevent female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and support survivors. It brings together advocates, survivors, and health professionals to build a, state-wide, trauma-informed care system.

Saheli is a non-profit organization based in Woburn, MA, specializing in Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Intervention. Our commitment lies in delivering personalized, culturally-sensitive, and trauma-informed support to survivors from South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African backgrounds. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we are dedicated to empowering immigrant survivors, fostering an environment where they can lead safe and healthy lives.

How to Apply

If you are interested in participating, please complete the application form by June 30th, 2026.

Explore stories created in previous Voices and Silence Speaks workshops to learn more about the project and its impact:

Stories from Voices to End FGM/C
Other stories from Silence Speaks

If you have questions or would like more information about this storytelling opportunity, please contact Nuzhat Zaman at nuzhat@sahiyo.org.

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