Maryum SaifeeThe Netflix Treatment: How “The Diplomat” is Demystifying DiplomacyLike many career Foreign Service Officers (FSOs), I tuned into the new Netflix series — the “Diplomat” — ready to roll my eyes at what…May 22, 2023May 22, 2023
Maryum SaifeeSince sevenSeven is the age a part of me died. Seven is the age the so-called “sinful flesh” was carved out of me. Seven is the age I understood my…Nov 27, 2020Nov 27, 2020
Maryum SaifeeFGM, Race & “Superbodies”In my years of advocacy work on issues like Female Genital Mutilation or more recently, child marriage, I have always wondered why are…Nov 17, 20201Nov 17, 20201
Maryum SaifeeAnatomy of an FGM Survivor’s StoryWhen you do a search on “Female Genital Mutilation” or “FGM” online, an image of four line drawings of female anatomy pop up next to its…Aug 1, 2020Aug 1, 2020
Maryum SaifeeStorytelling, shame & the hidden costsStorytelling is often romanticized as this pathway to liberation, but there is a hidden cost we rarely discuss. Much like when I returned…Jul 30, 2020Jul 30, 2020
Maryum SaifeeAdvancing gender equality means dismantling white supremacyAs a brown woman who stumbled into (largely white women-led) gender equality spaces — a few observations:Jun 17, 2020Jun 17, 2020
Maryum SaifeeGrowing up TexanI have been thinking a lot about white supremacy and the nuance within the structures that uphold it. I grew up in Texas and thanks to the…Jun 4, 2020Jun 4, 2020
Maryum SaifeeBreaking the color ceilingAny leader — whatever institution you occupy — before you pat yourself on the back for releasing a statement on racial justice, please do…Jun 4, 20201Jun 4, 20201