Many Muslim women do not know whether they have undergone sunat as a child. Many find out only much later as adults. Responses to this range from indifference to shock and feelings of violation.

The first part of this workshop offers a space for those who went through sunat as a child to meet others with similar experiences. Facilitators will guide participants in the sharing of experiences, feelings of and thoughts on sunat. Together with other participants, you may find comfort and solidarity in the emotions (shock, surprise, upset, anger, confusion) you went or are still going through when you learnt that you were cut.

The second part of this workshop guides you to explore your anatomy. We hope to demystify the different ways that people experience arousal and desire, how self-pleasure can help you cultivate body confidence and self-love, and finally, learn why honest communication is essential to a healthy sex life.

This is a pilot workshop series for FGC survivors by End FGC Singapore, in collaboration with Penawar and Crit Talk.

Content and Trigger Warnings

The support session deals with experiences of FGC which may be triggering and disturbing for some (i.e. experiences/memories of being cut or witnessing a procedure). The workshop will contain graphic and detailed information of the female anatomy with regards to FGC and sexual and reproductive health (i.e. what parts may have been cut, what parts can stimulate sexual pleasure, etc.)

This is for you if you are:

• a woman, trans man, or nonbinary person with a vulva/vagina;
• who have experienced female genital cutting (FGC), sunat perempuan or khitan/khatna as a child;
• had a Muslim upbringing;
• aged 18 and above;
• who wants a supportive space to share with other survivors how you discovered you were cut, to process any confusing, difficult or neutral feelings as well as trauma; and
• want an informative session to get to know your vulva, share how your cut may have impacted your body and sexual pleasure.

Take note that

1. Sections of the discussion may be audio recorded and transcribed for documentation purposes. Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.
2. To promote a safe space online, we will email you the Zoom meeting ID and password on the day of the workshop. The meeting will be locked after Introductions. You must show your video during the call, though if you have an unstable Internet connection, you may display a photo of yourself instead.

Accessibility Statement

1. The workshop will be conducted on Zoom. Unfortunately, the organisers are not able to provide sign language translators.
2. The workshop will be conducted in English. Facilitators and participants may use their Mother Tongue, but should include translations for the benefit of others. The organisers are not able to provide translators for other languages.
3. Facilitators and participants will share their preferred names and pronouns.
4. Gender and belief affirmations will be given during the introduction.

About Penawar

Penawar holds peer-led spaces for women, trans women and non-binary folk raised in Muslim households in Singapore to discuss topics important to them, without judgment or scrutiny. The support sessions serve as safe spaces for individuals to talk and reflect on their identities and experiences together with others, and to know that they are not alone.

About Crit Talk

Crit Talk is a safe, facilitated workshop space for self-identified Muslims to deconstruct taboo topics. The participative workshops use innovative methods to encourage critical thinking.