cREating a Safe sPacE for inClusiviTy, sexual and ReprodUctive 

Ukraine Follow Up

Ukraine Follow Up

The participants Maria Kotsurba, Lesia Doroshenko, Kateryna Priazhnikova, Vladislava Kovbasa from NGO Development and Initiative (Ukraine) implemented a follow up activity in September 2023. The local follow-up activity in Dnipro city was organized as an integral part of our Erasmus+ project RESPECTRUM. It aimed to bring the knowledge and tools acquired during the project to the local youth community. The activity took place over a series of workshops and interactive sessions, addressing topics related to inclusive sexual and reproductive health. These sessions were designed to create a safe and open space for the local youth to learn and discuss these crucial issues.

Engagement: The local youth actively participated in the workshops and discussions, demonstrating a keen interest in the topic of sexual and reproductive health.

Openness: Participants felt comfortable sharing their thoughts, questions, and concerns, fostering open and honest conversations.

Empowerment: Many participants reported feeling more empowered and informed about sexual health, which is essential for making informed decisions.

Increased Awareness: The activity significantly raised awareness about the importance of inclusive sexual education and the need for a safe space to discuss these matters.

Impact:

  • Knowledge Transfer: The local youth gained valuable knowledge and skills related to sexual and reproductive health, which will have a lasting impact on their lives.
  • Community Building: The activity helped in building a stronger sense of community among the local youth, creating a network of support for discussing sensitive topics.
  • Long-term Benefits: By providing a safe space for discussions, the project has contributed to the long-term well-being of young people, ensuring they make informed decisions regarding their sexual health.
  • Advocacy: Participants are now more likely to become advocates for inclusive sexual education, potentially influencing local policies and initiatives in this area.

Overall, the local follow-up activity was a success in bringing the benefits of the RESPECTRUM Erasmus+ project to the local youth community in Dnipro, fostering understanding, openness, and empowerment in the realm of sexual and reproductive health.

Participants Impressions from the project

Lesia Doroshenko

The project «reSPECTRUM» was saturated with trainings on gender topics using various methods. In practice, the participants had the opportunity to take a deeper look at the issue of gender inequality and its manifestations in our lives. Through tactile exercises and creative workshops, we learned to feel each other without words and to understand the state and mood of others, to be sensual. The trainers' approaches were adapted to participants with different interests and views, which allowed everyone to find something interesting and useful for themselves.

Vladyslava Kovbasa

I think I've never been to such a beautiful place in my life. Both accommodation and surroundings were unbelievable. So convenient, so much light, so much care. I'm really thankful to Acpelia for finding this place, making projects there and sharing it with us this beauty, and what is very important - knowledge that they have together with our amazing trainer Victoria.

"cREating a Safe sPacE for inClusiviTy, sexual and ReprodUctive non-forMal education for youth workers: ReSPECTRUM" project opened my eyes in terms of how many gaps there are in sexual education. I thought that I've educated myself on this topic before but turns out that was not enough because I discovered blank spots and closed them!:)

Maria Kotsurba

I found "RESPECTRUM" project to be an amazing experience. Throughout the six-day training, we were exploring the notion of sexuality and learning about sex education in all participating countries - from problems to best practices. We also engaged in forum theater, where we acted out typical scenarios based on gender stereotypes and gender-related violence. We then transformed these scenarios into healthier alternatives. We also did lots of group work. The highlight of the training for me was working in diverse groups on different means of conveying messages about sex. To start, I was put in a group where we focused on creating a podcast about consent. This involved defining our goals and main topics, and we even decided to invite medical experts to contribute to certain episodes. Another great memory that I still cherish was creating a short animated movie on basic safety rules, again touching upon the topic of consent. Overall, I firmly believe that the training course successfully provided a safe and nurturing environment for us throughout the week. We had the opportunity to explore ourselves and the world around us using a variety of effective methods, including art therapy, theater, creative activities, discussions, group work, and deep reflections.

Kateryna Priazhnikova

Participating in the "RESPECTRUM" initiative was a truly enriching experience. Over the course we delved into the intricacies of cultural diversity and learned about inclusive practices across the represented nations - from challenges to exemplary approaches. We actively participated in interactive workshops, where we reenacted common scenarios rooted in cultural biases and discrimination. This involved setting clear objectives and selecting key themes, and we even sought out experts for insightful interviews. Another standout moment was creating a vibrant visual presentation on the importance of cultural respect, once again highlighting the significance of open dialogue. Overall, I firmly believe that the initiative fostered a supportive and empowering atmosphere for all of us throughout the week. We were given the space to discover ourselves and the global community through a range of impactful approaches, including storytelling, interactive sessions, creative projects, debates, teamwork, and thoughtful reflections.

Links of online dissemination and visibility of the project:

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