SWOVA Sexual Health Education

On March 29th, SWOVA hosted three activities for youth at Gulf Island Secondary School (GISS).

Sexual health information session for grade 11 students: These sessions were facilitated by a nurse and doctor from the community. Females and males participated in separate sessions in order to learn about key sexual health information (e.g. birth control)

Sexual health talking circle for grade 11 students: females and males participated in separate talking circles in order to have an opportunity to talk about connections among sexual health, communication and relationships.

Sexual Health Fair: this noon hour fair was open to all students at GISS. In total there were 7 tables at the health fair:

SWOVA

Public Health

Gays and Lesbians of Salt Spring Island (GLOSSI)

Pharmasave

Community Services

Island Women Against Violence

Options for Sexual Health

Youth Feedback

Grade 11 youth were asked to provide feedback after each talking circle and educational session. Specifically, they were asked to respond to a series of items examining their level of enjoyment, feelings of safety, learning and shifts in perspectives due to attending the educational session and talking circle. Youth were also asked for suggestions as to ways the sessions or circles could be improved for future events. In addition, youth were invited to complete a brief feedback form after attending the noon hour health fair.

Click here to see the feedback that youth gave and to read the full report on these events.

About SWOVA

SWOVA Community Development and Research Society is a non-profit society and registered charity in British Columbia. Its members are women and men who work for social change, helping to create a world where women and children are valued and able to live without fear of violence and abuse.

The mandate of SWOVA is

To work to prevent violence.

To develop community solutions to violence.

To promote research into violence issues.

To support and enhance violence prevention in the schools.

The objectives of the society are

To conduct research in order to better understand the complex issues surrounding violence and abuse against women and children.

To educate the public about violence and abuse issues through media, workshops, vigils, letter writing campaigns, etc.

And to work within our community to eliminate violence and to empower local girls and women.

Our Policy on Inclusiveness
As a society, SWOVA acknowledges the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We strive to foster a world that honours diversity. SWOVA is an equality-seeking society. We actively oppose all forms of discrimination based on sex, race, sexual orientation, age, spiritual choice, or ability. SWOVA works to re-dress the unequal distribution of power, resources, and privilege, that we see in society. We actively work in the community and schools to stop oppression in all forms, including sexism, racism, and homophobia.

 

 

"Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace. If, however, they are left on society's margins, all of us will be impoverished. Let us ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies."
--Kofi Annan

SWOVA Blog

Click here to visit the SWOVA Blog.

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