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.

"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 changes could meaningfully support survivors. Most importantly, they share how Nisaa's work proves that culturally-grounded care isn't just effective—it's necessary.

Whether you're a survivor, advocate, ally or policymaker, this conversation will deepen your understanding and reinvigorate your commitment to ending gender-based violence

Tune in and join us in championing community-led solutions and amplifying survivor voices.

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.