The method Fair Sex and the corresponding method material aims to counteract sexual violence and to promote gender equality, empowerment and positive sexual habits among young people.
The project started as a campaign in 2011, within an EU-financed project, and has since then developed into an independent project with different components. The project is mandated and financed by the Åland Government and has in 2013 focused on the upper secondary schools and the Åland folk high-school on Åland.
The work with the staff of the three schools included has has concentrated on providing support to the schools’ respective equality working groups. The working groups have received support with drafting equality plans and action plans for managing sexual harassment. The student-centered component of the project has included interactive workshops where sex, mutuality, rape and gendered norms have been discussed. In 2013 also the youths at Katapult, an activity for young people who do not currently attend school and do not have a job, and the students within Yrkesträningsprogrammet (YTP), an upper secondary high school for youth with different kinds of intellectual disabilities, had the chance to participate in Fair Sex workshops.
Prior awareness among the young people attending the workshops differs a lot. Some have been discussing the topics that are brought up in the Fair Sex workshops already in junior high school, while some are discussing the social aspects of sex for the first time during the Fair Sex workshops. The workshop evaluations show that the participants appreciate to discuss the topics brought up during the workshops. Students also express that the information about rape and what ”fair sex” means is important to discuss.
The development of method material for the students at YTP has been particularly challenging and important. The involvement of consultant Jack Lukkerz has guaranteed the high-quality of the material used for students with intellectual disabilities and has contributed to the competence-development of the Fair Sex staff. In connection to his visit Lukkerz held an open lecture on “sexuality and intellectual disabilities” in Mariehamn.
