Building HOPE in Massachusetts: Prevention, Care and Collective Action
Release Date: 01/07/2026
Building HOPE in Massachusetts: Prevention, Care and Collective Action
Changing Narratives Podcast
In the season 2 premiere of Changing Narratives, host Patricia Mars sits down with Dr. Crista Johnson-Agbakwu and Olivia Harris from the (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...
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Behind the Mic: Our Year of Advocating, Learning and Leading
Changing Narratives Podcast
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...
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1 Every 12 Minutes: The Hidden Death Toll of FGM/C
Changing Narratives Podcast
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 . 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 , to explore how these findings are shaping...
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Unstoppable Individuals: How Indonesia’s Change-Makers Are Ending FGM
Changing Narratives Podcast
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...
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From Iowa to the Frontlines: Nisaa African Family Services Revolution Against FGC
Changing Narratives Podcast
“Change doesn’t happen to communities—it happens with them.” In this inspiring episode of Changing Narratives, host Patricia Mars is joined by Hibo Jama and Barwaqo Aden of Nisaa African Family Services, a grassroots powerhouse supporting African refugee and immigrant communities in Iowa. With deep ties to the communities they serve, Hibo and Barwaqo open up about the emotional and cultural challenges of addressing FGM/C—and the victories they’ve witnessed along the way. They unpack how attitudes around FGM/C are shifting, why engaging men and boys is essential and what policy...
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Stepping Forward: Reflections from Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation's Walk to End FGM in Washington, D.C.
Changing Narratives Podcast
In this special episode of Changing Narratives, we revisit the energy, urgency and solidarity at the Annual Walk to End FGM, hosted by the Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation in Washington, D.C. Led by founder and activist Angela Peabody, the walk brings together survivors, advocates and allies to raise awareness, honor resilience and call for the elimination of FGM/C. You’ll hear from changemakers who were part of the event, including: Angela Peabody, Founder and President of Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation Isatou Jeng, our TTA Coordinator, who received the 2024 Survivor Activist...
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Radical Hope: Youth-Led Activism to End FGM/C with Dr. Costly Abosede Aderibigbe
Changing Narratives Podcast
What does it look like when a survivor leads a global youth movement to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C)? In this bold and moving episode of Changing Narratives, we sit down with Dr. Costly Abosede Aderibigbe—medical doctor, FGM/C survivor and Executive Secretary of the Global Youth Consortium Against FGM. Costly’s work spans over 50 countries, uniting young people to demand a future free from FGM/C—with the power of lived experience, medical expertise and radical hope. We explore her journey from survival to global leadership, what it takes to dismantle harmful practices in...
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Innovating Health Solutions and Ending FGM/C with LastMile4D in Kenya
Changing Narratives Podcast
In this episode of Changing Narratives, host Patricia Mars is joined by Mahnaz M. Harrison, founder of LastMile4D, to discuss the groundbreaking work being done to end FGM/C in Kenya. Mahnaz shares her journey into women’s health and rights, the unique challenges of working in remote communities, and how LastMile4D is using innovative technology and local partnerships to drive meaningful change. Tune in to hear about the delicate balance between respecting traditions and pushing for progress, and the inspiring stories of resilience and transformation that fuel this vital work. As you...
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Faith & Action: How Athia Carrim is Driving Change Against FGM/C in California
Changing Narratives Podcast
In this episode of Changing Narratives, host Patricia Mars sits down with Athia Carrim, a leader in interfaith dialogue and a key figure in The FGM Taskforce of Greater Los Angeles Area. Together, they explore the intersection of faith, advocacy, and community-driven efforts in the movement to end FGM/C. Athia shares her journey of balancing cultural respect with advocacy, discusses how transformative shifts in religious communities are happening, and highlights the power of collaboration through the FGM Taskforce. With growing momentum in California toward building a state coalition, discover...
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The ‘Husband Stitch’: A Form of FGM/C? Unpacking Medical Ethics and Women’s Health
Changing Narratives Podcast
In this episode of Changing Narratives, we explore the unsettling yet vital issue of the “Husband Stitch”—a practice often dismissed as a myth but deeply harmful and invasive. Join Hunter Kessous, Medical Student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and Dr. Raveen Syan, Urologist who specializes in pelvic floor disorders at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, as they unpack this painful procedure, its connection to FGM/C, and its profound implications on women’s health and informed consent. Hunter dives into the powerful stories of women who’ve endured the...
info_outlineIn 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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