Let's all take an active part in Week 6 in week 6
Week 6 is based on a Danish concept and is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of sexual health and sex education for children and young people. In Hafnarfjörður, many schools, all youth centres, the youth house and the Hafnarfjörður Library will actively participate in the week with a varied programme from 6th to 12th February.
The young people themselves choose the themes for the weeks, and this year it is sex and sexual behaviour.
Week 6 is based on a Danish concept and is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of sexual health and sex education for children and young people. In Hafnarfjörður, many schools, all youth centres, the youth house and the Hafnarfjörður Library will actively participate in the week with a varied programme from 6th to 12th February, where imagination has been allowed to run wild. Book displays, educational videos, genital baking, discussions and workshops are examples of activities in Week 6 in Hafnarfjörður, which are better introduced at each individual venue.
Important steps taken in Hafnarfjörður in line with the wishes of young people
The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður has contracted Kristín Blöndal Ragnarsdóttir to lead the implementation of gender studies and sex education in all of the municipality's primary schools, starting in the autumn of 2023. Kristín is a qualified teacher and gender studies scholar, and holds a diploma in gender studies from the University of Iceland. The project is part of an effort to meet the wishes of the Hafnarfjörður Youth Council, which has called for increased education in line with contemporary times, and to ensure that all primary school year groups receive education on gender-based and sexual violence. The initiative also fulfils the objectives of the legally mandated school prevention teams, in accordance with Parliamentary Resolution No. 37/150 against gender-based and sexual violence and bullying. Today, representatives from all primary schools in Hafnarfjörður are sitting on a working group that is preparing for Week 6 and planning the education for the upcoming school year. Week 6 is excellent preparation for what is to come, and the working group agrees on the importance of establishing Week 6 in Hafnarfjörður's primary schools.
There is a strong team involved in the preparations for Week 6 – here are some representatives of the team.
Vika6 is an important preventative project.
Vika6 is an important preventative project because increased education can, among other things, reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies, unhealthy interactions, unhealthy relationships, the harmful effects of pornography, sexual harassment and sexual violence. Good sex education is one of the best preventative measures against sexual violence. Around 70% of those who contact Stígamót experience violence before the age of 18, and it is therefore important to reach young people as early as possible with professional and important education in a setting they attend and trust.
All Year 10 students will be given condoms as a gift.
The City of Reykjavík started the tradition of Vika6 here in the country, and more municipalities have since jumped on the bandwagon, including the City of Hafnarfjörður. This year, the City of Hafnarfjörður is also following the city's example with a symbolic gift, as all 10th-grade pupils in Hafnarfjörður will receive condoms from their municipality during Week 6.
You can follow Vika6 on Instagram: @vika6_island