My Body Belongs to Me by Zahra Qaiyumi | Voices to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

Content Advisory: This story addresses the human rights violation of female genital mutilation or cutting, FGM/C. Viewers should watch at their own discretion. The story is not appropriate for children. Raised in the United States in a Dawood Bohra Muslim household, Zahra remembers being dressed up for a party at age seven and wondering whether the celebration was to honor her khatna (female genital mutilation or cutting, or FGM/C) or make her forget the pain. She reflects on the duality of appreciating the rich culture and community in which she was immersed, and her desire to do things that seemed “forbidden.” Today, Zahra has reclaimed her own body and works to end FGM/C. This story was created in a Voices to End FGM/C workshop led by StoryCenter (http://www.storycenter.org) and Sahiyo (http://www.sahiyo.com), and funded by the Wallace Global Fund.