In this special episode of Changing Narratives, host Patricia Mars brings listeners inside the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), capturing reflections from advocates, leaders and participants on the ground.

Through a series of short conversations, this episode explores what's standing out, what challenges remain and what it will take to move from dialogue to action.

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In this episode of Changing Narratives, host Patricia Mars sits down with Sean Callaghan, a researcher whose work is shedding new light on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in the United States.

Together, they unpack what the data tells us — and what it doesn't. From research challenges and systemic gaps to the balance between statistics and lived experiences, this conversation dives deep into why data is essential for effective advocacy, survivor-centered policies and change.

Link to Sean's latest report.

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In this episode of Changing Narratives, host Patricia Mars sits down with Naimah Hassan to unpack a new report produced through a collaboration between AWRA and Vavengers.

Naimah shares the inspiration behind the report, the process of collaboration and the stories and perspectives that stayed with her throughout the project. The conversation also digs into how the report contributes to global dialogues on rights, agency, and accountability, and why its findings matter for policymakers, funders, advocates and anyone working toward a coordinated response to FGM/C. The report can be found here.

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In this episode of Changing Narratives, host Patricia Mars sits down with two leading voices working at the intersection of medicine, policy, and human rights.

Dr. Marci Bowers—the only surgeon in the U.S. trained in both gender-affirming surgery and functional clitoral restoration for FGM/C survivors—joins Sinéad, a policy expert working to protect transgender rights and survivor-centered FGM/C advocacy.

Together, they break down one of today's most harmful and politically motivated narratives: the deliberate conflation of gender-affirming care with FGM/C.

This conversation explores:

• The real medical similarities and key distinctions between gender-affirming surgery and clitoral restoration

• How "protect the children" rhetoric is weaponized to restrict both survivor care and trans healthcare

• The policy strategies urgently needed to counter anti-rights misinformation

• Who benefits from confusion, fear-mongering and false comparisons—and at what cost

This is a clarifying, timely and deeply necessary episode for anyone working in health, policy, gender justice or survivor advocacy.

Tune in—and help us change the narrative.

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In the season 2 premiere of Changing Narratives, host Patricia Mars sits down with Dr. Crista Johnson-Agbakwu and Olivia Harris from the Hope MA Project (Holistic Organized Partnerships to End FGM/C in MA), a statewide initiative strengthening prevention, care and coordinated action around female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Massachusetts.

Together, they discuss how the momentum from the 2020 legislation is being used to build a more robust and survivor-centered system of support across the state. Olivia and Crista share why bringing survivors, service providers and researchers together is essentail, what gaps still exist in care and how their team is working to close them.

This conversation explores what prevention looks like in practice — not just in policy — and how culturally grounded, community-led approaches shape long-term change. We also talk about how listeners can support the work of this project, especially ahead of International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM on February 6th.

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As we close out an incredible first year of Changing Narratives, we're taking a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate.

In this special year-end episode, host Patricia Mars is joined by her colleagues from The U.S. End FGM/C Network — Caitlin LeMay, Kaitlin Mitchell and Isatou Jeng — for an honest and inspiring conversation about the year that was.

Together, they look back at the stories that moved them, the progress made in advocacy and the lessons that will guide the work ahead. From building survivor-centered spaces to amplifying voices through storytelling, this episode captures both the challenges and the triumphs of a growing movement.

Thank you for joining us for Season 1 of Changing Narratives. The conversation continues in January 2026 — see you in Season 2.

Download our Strategic Plan: https://secure.everyaction.com/RzfSoWTIo0u0ylY2KxvBWg2

Donate: https://endfgmnetwork.org/donation/

Leave a review of the podcast: https://secure.everyaction.com/RzfSoWTIo0u0ylY2KxvBWg2

What does it mean to say that 1 girl dies every 12 minutes from female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C)? In this gripping episode of Changing Narratives, host Patricia Mars speaks with Professor Heather Flowe—one of the researchers behind a landmark study estimating that more than 44,000 girls and young women die each year from FGM/C. They unpack the methodological and ethical complexities of bringing hidden deaths into the light, the global implications of their findings and how data can be a powerful tool in both justice and denial.

We're also joined by Anush Aghabalyan, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Orchid Project, to explore how these findings are shaping advocacy, fueling momentum, and forcing governments to confront the scale of a crisis they've long ignored.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform.

Support our work: To continue sharing these crucial stories and advocating for change, we need your help. Your donations allow us to expand our reach, conduct more interviews, and push for policy change. Please consider donating today to amplify these important conversations.

FGM/C is too often seen as only an African issue — but across Asia, millions of girls are at risk every year.

In this bold conversation, host Patricia Mars is joined by Ika Agustina from Kalyanamitra, a feminist organization based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Ika shares the powerful grassroots work happening to end FGM/C in Asia — from community-led change to groundbreaking research and fierce advocacy for national and international policy reform.

Together, they dive into what it really takes to confront FGM/C in a region where tradition, religion, and social pressures run deep — and why centering Asian voices is essential to ending this practice worldwide.

This episode challenges assumptions, spotlights incredible activism and reminds us that change is being led from every corner of the world.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform.

Support our work: To continue sharing these crucial stories and advocating for change, we need your help. Your donations allow us to expand our reach, conduct more interviews, and push for policy change. Please consider donating today to amplify these important conversations.