Every 7 Seconds this Happens To A Girl

What happens when the people who love you believe that harming you is an act of protection? In this episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih speaks with Hoda, who was seven years old when her family celebrated what she believed was a special occasion. Instead, she was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM)—a practice that would leave lifelong physical and psychological consequences. This conversation goes beyond the procedure itself. It explores the complex reality of generational trauma, where mothers and grandmothers who endured the same experience continue the practice, believing they are protecting their daughters and preserving tradition. Hoda shares the lasting impact FGM has had on her health, relationships, fertility, and sense of self, while reflecting on what it means to reconcile love with profound harm. Together, Hiba and Hoda examine how cultural beliefs can normalize violence, why these cycles persist, and what it takes to challenge them. This episode is about tradition, trauma, resilience, and the courage to break a cycle that has shaped generations of women.