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Description
This project focuses on the key problem of the lack of content in the field of comprehensive sex education (CSE) in school curricula, lack of recognition of its importance by relevant stakeholders, and the stigma around CSE based on inaccurate information. The goals of the project are to gather evidence for advocating the introduction of CSE in primary (PS) and secondary schools (SS), to establish a dialogue with representatives of the regional governments on the introduction of CSE in PS and SS, to raise public awareness of the benefits of CSE in PS and SS.
Key activities are research activities in PS and SS with a focus on CSE, advocating for the introduction of CSE, and raising public awareness of the benefits of the introduction of CSE. Multiplication effect: long-term cooperation with local governments and CSOs that want to introduce CSE in their communities. Strengthening the capacity of CSOs contributes to sustainability, and cooperation during the project opens space for new national cooperation and bilateral cooperation with Norway and in the wider area of work of associations. The role of the applicant is to coordinate and participate in the activities, while the CRO partners will participate in all elements of the project.
The project will contribute to gender equality and prevention of gender-based violence because the CSE curriculum acts as a mechanism to prevent gender-based violence and violence in youth relationships and breaks gender stereotypes and roles that contribute to gender equality and building a fairer and more inclusive society, especially for vulnerable groups.
Summary of project results
The project "Healthy relationships" aimed to tackle the significant issue of inadequate comprehensive sexual education (CSE) in primary and secondary schools across Croatia. There is a clear need to improve sexual education for young people to provide essential information about sexuality, reproductive health, and interpersonal relationships. Without this education, students face various problems, including a lack of information, risky behaviors, poor understanding of relationships, and the presence of stigma and taboos surrounding these topics.
To address these challenges, the project sought to initiate dialogue with representatives from local government sectors to gain support and collaborate on integrating CSE into the education system. By raising public awareness about the benefits of comprehensive sexual education, the project aimed to build support and understanding for its necessity. This would help foster a healthier and more responsible approach to sexuality among the youth in Croatia.
The project''s objectives were to contribute to the implementation of CSE in schools, gather evidence to advocate for this educational approach, establish discussions with local authorities about its inclusion in the curriculum, and increase public awareness of the advantages of CSE.
The project undertook several key activities aimed at improving comprehensive sexual education (CSE) in schools across the Primorsko-goranska, Sisačko-moslavačka, and Varaždinska counties. The project focused on gathering evidence, raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and building the skills of those involved in educational and advocacy work related to CSE. Here’s a summary of what the project did:
The project began with research activities to understand the current state and identify needs related to CSE. This included analyzing 50 school curricula from the targeted regions to determine how CSE topics are currently covered and the methods used. They also surveyed over 230 education professionals to gauge their views on CSE and their needs for additional training. The survey data helped shape focus group discussions and future recommendations.
Focus groups were conducted with both students and teachers. The focus groups included 38 students who shared their experiences and needs regarding CSE, gaining information about its importance.For students, discussions were held separately for primary and secondary school levels to tailor the methodology and questions to their age. The findings indicated that students felt CSE topics were underrepresented in their education. Teachers also expressed a need for more support and training in this area. Additionally, the project engaged 6 parents through focus groups who discussed their experiences and needs related to CSE and were informed through social media campaigns. It is importatn to mention that the responses were limited and mostly collected from the Primorsko-goranska region, as parents in other regions were not willing to participate due to sensitivity of the topic and the strong anti-CSE campaign promoted by the conservative political influences. The feedback from parents who participated generally supported CSE in schools, though the results need to be interpreted with caution due to the low and somewhat biased response rate.
On the advocacy front, the project developed a strategic advocacy document containing research findings and recommendations for integrating CSE into school curricula. They held meetings with local authorities and conducted follow-up sessions to discuss potential collaborations and support for the continued implementation of CSE. Four local government representatives were informed about CSE''s importance and received guidance on introducing it in their regions.
A public campaign was also launched to raise awareness about the importance of CSE among young people, parents, and the general public. The campaign ran from mid-September to November 2023, using social media, newsletters, and media releases to spread its message. Videos from various supporters were shared to emphasize the significance of CSE.
In terms of capacity building, the project included several training and knowledge exchange activities - 29 educational staff members received training on practical ways to incorporate CSE into their work and had opportunities to network and share experiences. . This involved educational sessions on curriculum analysis, sharing best practices with a Norwegian partner organization, and workshops on media and advocacy skills. These activities aimed to enhance the capabilities of project staff and partners in promoting and implementing CSE.
The project aimed to spotlight the introduction of comprehensive sexual education (CSE) into the educational system and to raise public awareness about its significance. By using social media and media outlets across Croatia, the project succeeded in informing parents, students, and the broader public about what CSE encompasses and its importance in the context of human rights and European values. This outreach significantly enhanced public knowledge and awareness of CSE, proportional to the project''s media reach.
Involving educational professionals from various regions, including Rijeka, Varaždin, Sisak-Moslavina, and Primorje-Gorski Kotar, the project engaged teachers and school staff in exploring CSE and expressing their needs for its implementation. These professionals were empowered to advocate for CSE within their institutions, gained a deeper understanding of their roles regarding the topic, and built networks with peers through the project''s training sessions.
The project also fostered dialogue with parents and students during its research phase. By providing relevant information, it supported local government representatives from Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Sisak-Moslavina, and Varaždin in laying the groundwork for CSE at the regional level. As a result, these representatives, along with parents and students, acquired valuable insights into CSE and its potential integration into schools.
Additionally, the civil society organizations involved were strengthened in several areas, including monitoring project activities, executing successful advocacy campaigns, and implementing CSE effectively, drawing on good practices from Norway. The collaboration established with educational professionals continues beyond the project''s duration, with ongoing discussions and organization of CSE-related lectures in schools.
Summary of bilateral results
The project gained significant benefits from its partnership with KUN, a Norwegian organization. This collaboration provided valuable insights and examples of best practices for implementing Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in schools, leveraging Norway’s extensive experience and support in this area. The exchange of experiences with KUN not only strengthened the capacities of the civil society organizations involved in the project but also enhanced the skills of educational professionals who participated in the two-day training provided by KUN.The main results of this partnership include the enhanced capacity of the project’s lead and partner organizations through learning about Norwegian approaches, content, and methods used in CSE. Additionally, 29 educational professionals were informed and educated on CSE topics during the two-day workshop, which also facilitated networking among participants and KUN instructors.The project has laid the groundwork for continued collaboration with KUN, building on the "Healthy Relationships" initiative. As part of this bilateral cooperation, KUN organized two additional workshops on gender-based violence in public spaces, held during the Smoqua festival in Croatia, an event where PaRiter and the Lori Association have long collaborated. Although there are no concrete plans for further collaboration at this time, opportunities for continued partnership may arise in a similar format, with KUN offering workshops for civil sector workers in Croatia, leveraging their experience and resources.