SC-MGF
ONLINE WORKSHOPS
of Concerted Strategies for Fighting Female Genital Mutilation
Since 2021, the Coordinated Strategies has organized several workshop series (in French) specifically for professionals involved in the prevention and management of this issue.
2023 : SEXO Serie
Workshop 1
The Basics of the Clitoris: Bodily Socialization and Relationship with the Organ
This first online workshop is part of a review, a (re)appropriation of the physiology, anatomy of female sexuality, and socio-cultural issues surrounding the clitoris organ.
Workshop 2
Sexuality and female genital mutilation: overcoming limiting beliefs, from the perspective of both affected individuals and professionals
Women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) often experience a negative perception of their bodies, which are considered incomplete after the excision. Sexuality, confined to marriage, is often associated with pain and negative sensations. The clitoris plays a central role, perceived as absent, and Western views can negatively influence their body perception and sexuality. Discover how to debunk these myths surrounding the clitoris to promote fulfilling sexuality.
Workshop 3
First Times: Focus on Sexual Violence and Its Impact on the Sexuality of Women Affected by FGM
First sexual experiences, especially in cases of sexual violence, can be difficult, even traumatic. Women affected by violence, including female genital mutilation (FGM), often describe sexuality as painful rather than pleasurable, with significant consequences on their sexual lives. For many, sexual fulfillment remains a challenge, often associated with FGM.
Workshop 4
« Manifesto for Fulfilling Sexuality »: Presentation of the Work Process and Empowerment by and for Participants of a Community Workshop
Discover the process of facilitation and empowerment in community workshops. Participants share a common goal: to experience a liberated and fulfilling sexuality. Throughout this workshop, they reflect on their past, present, and future sexuality, thus opening themselves to the possibility of a chosen and satisfying sexual experience.
Workshop 5
The role of partners in sexuality: focusing on communication within couples
This workshop follows up on the previous one, which explored the manifesto for satisfying sexuality. It focuses on how to convey this manifesto to the partners of women, translating their needs and requests. The workshop highlights the imperative of experiencing pleasant sensations during intercourse, emphasizing the importance of communication in this process.
Workshop 6
Pleasant and Satisfying Sexuality: Psycho-Sexological Support and Care for Women Affected by FGM to Reclaim Their Bodie
This workshop follows up on the previous one, which explored the manifesto for satisfying sexuality. It focuses on how to convey this manifesto to the partners of women, translating their needs and requests. The workshop highlights the imperative of experiencing pleasant sensations during intercourse, emphasizing the importance of communication in this process.
2022 : PSYCHOLOGICAL SERIE
Workshop 1
The impact of female genital mutilation on the mental health of affected individuals
The aim of this workshop will be to address the impact of female genital mutilation on the mental health of affected girls and women, with a focus on trauma and its sexual impact.
Workshop 2 – Excision and interculturality: deconstructing your representations to better support affected individuals.
For professionals supporting women affected by female genital mutilation, sensitivity to cultural, linguistic, familial, and social differences is crucial. The workshop focuses on deconstructing professionals’ representations, understanding mental health perceptions within these communities, guiding towards psychological support, and how to engage with others in their experience of illness.
Workshop 3
Excision and child protection
Workshop focuses on the support of minors at risk of female genital mutilation, exploring essential approaches in individual follow-up and examining how to strengthen family capacities to protect children. The aim is to reflect on the challenges of individual support for children, with a discussion on prevention through a clinical case study.
Workshop 4
Approach to individual and group support for women affected by FGM: psychological follow-up and community activities.
This workshop explores the unique nature of therapeutic support for women affected by FGM, situated at the intersection of gender-based violence, exile, and asylum. FGM and other gender-based violence are not always the starting point in therapy due to the complexity of experiences. Initial support often comes from social workers and other professionals involved in women’s daily lives. The workshop aims to exchange reflections on therapeutic practices, explore how individual counseling and group activities can be integrated, and provide guidance for individual and/or collective support by sharing existing experiences in the field.
Workshop 5
Psychological Report: Issues, Guidelines, and Best Practices
This interdisciplinary webinar will provide an opportunity for psychologists, legal experts, lawyers, and affected women to exchange insights and best practices based on practical cases regarding the drafting of a comprehensive psycho-social report and the crucial issues it entails, such as international protection.
2021 : CHILDREN serie
Workshop 1
How to approach the issue of female genital mutilation with children during individual consultations?
Workshop 2
Follow-up of girls and adolescents recognized as refugees regarding the issue of female genital mutilation, an opportunity to seize?
The Family Planning Center FPS of Liège – Solidaris Network is conducting a project for the prevention and management of female genital mutilation (FGM) and other gender-based violence. The team of counselors has established a protocol to facilitate the psycho-social and medical follow-up of these families over the years. This workshop provides insights into the center’s practices and the ethical considerations surrounding these spaces for dialogue.
Workshop 3
« What’s happening in our underwear? »
« What’s happening in our underwear? » These are two booklets created by Femmes et Santé and FCPPF: one for children (and not just girls!) from the age of 9 and the other for adults. They facilitate discussions related to the topic of menstruation. The aim of this workshop is to understand their content and development process in order to explore how to best utilize them.
Workshop 4
Psychosexual development of the child and female genital mutilation (FGM)
The sexuality is a natural part of human development throughout all stages of life. It plays a role in the construction of an individual’s identity and personality. The goal of this workshop is to address the stages of psychosexual development in children.
Workshop 5
Sexual violence: How to respond to disclosure in the context of school presentations
The workshop addresses the delicate situation where a child spontaneously reveals being a victim of sexual violence, without choosing the timing or the people present. The workshop deals with practical cases and real-life situations, encouraging the exchange of experiences among professionals and the formulation of recommendations and best practices.