Teaching sexual rights as human rights in schools and promoting related awareness especially among Russian youth community

Project facts

Project promoter:
Estonian Sexual Health Association
Project Number:
EE03-0042
Target groups
Young adults,
Staff from enterprises involved in teaching/education/training activities
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€40,793
Final project cost:
€40,768
From EEA Grants:
€ 36,598
The project is carried out in:
Estonia

Description

Sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) as human rights are represented in Estonian school curriculum, but the teachers are not well prepared to handle these topics in school lessons. This project aims to increase awareness and promote recognition of SRR in Estonia through teacher training, integrating Russian-speaking teachers in professional networks and raising awareness among Russian youth communities. As a result of this project, teacher training seminars have been conducted, teachers’ knowledge and skills in SRR topics (including gender equality, different sexual identities, intimate partner and sexual violence, teenagres right to confidentiality and determining on their sexuality) has been increased, Russian-speaking teachers have been enhanced to join professional networks, and information materials about SRR in the Internet has been available targeting Russian-speaking young people. The project is promoted by Estonian Sexual Health Association in partnership with Estonian Human Studies Teachers’ Association.

Summary of project results

Sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) as human rights are represented in Estonian school curriculum, but the teachers are not well prepared to handle these topics in school lessons. The aim of the project was to increase awareness and promote recognition of SRR in Estonia through teacher training, integrating Russian-speaking teachers in professional networks and raising awareness among Russian youth communities. As a result of this project, teacher training seminars have been conducted, teachers’ knowledge and skills in SRR topics (including gender equality, different sexual identities, intimate partner and sexual violence, teenagers right to confidentiality and determining on their sexuality) has been increased, Russian-speaking teachers have been enhanced to join professional networks, and information materials about SRR in the Internet has been available targeting Russian-speaking young people. During the trainings the following issues were dealt: relationships, sexuality, prevention of violence – topics of sexual rights and responsibilities, healthy and unhealthy relationships, managing of aggressive feelings (aggression stair), concepts of dating, intimate relationship, and sexual violence, myths, prevention and finding help. Additionally, trainings on new topics in human studies were conducted in Russian in Laulasmaa and in Toila. Following issues were dealt: gender roles and stereotypes, impact of media on the sexual behaviour, pornography, sexual orientation and tolerance, unwanted pregnancy and violence in intimate relationships and sexual violence. Training was carried out in Estonian with translation to Russian. Also, manyadditional texts in English and Russian on the topic of sexual rights and sexual education in general were created. These texts are uploaded to the website www.amor.ee to improve the awareness in the whole society and in Russian speaking young people. Project was successful and interest for the trainings was high.

Summary of bilateral results