Course on Intercourse

Name of the activity: Course on Intercourse

Country/NMO: Lithuania (LiMSA)

Program: Realizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Contact information: [email protected]

Type of the activity: Capacity building, education and advocacy

General description:

LiMSA is one of the strongest advocates and providers of CSE in Lithuania. CSE classes are carried out by NMO members that have gone through at least an 8 hour training on CSE. Our CSE programme is carried out in different cities of Lithuania and reaches different age groups. The programme focuses on a sex – positive approach and inclusiveness. The policy on CSE will be renewed and voted on during the LiMSA NGA 2019, ensuring proper advocacy on a national level.

Focus area:

Comprehensive Sexuality Education

Problem statement:

Even though CSE has become a recommended part of the curricula in schools in Lithuania, the implementation of it is less than satisfactory as the schools are left responsible for either carrying out the CSE themselves or inviting guest speakers that usually have not gone through a CSE training of any kind. Additionally, the guidelines for CSE are vague and in many cases abstinence based. This leads to poor implementation of CSE as well as often providing information that is not evidence – based.

Target groups:

Medical students, Healthcare Students, Children, Youth

Beneficiaries:

General population, Children, Youth, LGBTQIA+ community

Objectives and indicators of success:

1) The CSE programme gains new trainers who carry out CSE in schools (at least 60 biomedical students attend an at least 8 hour training on peer education and CSE methods)

2) CSE classes are carried out in various locations in Lithuania (CSE classes are carried out in at least 4 cities of Lithuania)

3) CSE classes reach a significant number of children and youth (at least 200 participants receive CSE)

4) CSE improves the understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights in children and youth (at least 70% of participants in each CSE class carried out by the members of our NMO state that their knowledge of SRHR has improved in the post – evaluation survey)

Methodology:

1) A training on CSE (lasts at least 8 hours). Peer education and CSE methods are presented. Participants improve their public speaking and facilitation skills, learn to adapt CSE sessions to target groups. The training is facilitated by the NORA, LORAs and 3 other OC members that have been chosen based on their knowledge on CSE and facilitation experience. The CSE training is carried out separately in both LCs of LiMSA.

2) CSE classes are carried out in various cities and schools. The sessions focus on covering as many SRHR topics as possible, with at least 2 trainers facilitating a class that can range from 15 to 30 participants. Interactive IFMSA CSE methods are used (they are translated into Lithuanian and stored in the LiMSA CSE method database). Standardized Google forms are used to collect feedback from the participants.

3) Renewing the LiMSA national policy on CSE during the 2019 NGA to ensure proper advocacy.

Plans for evaluation:

1) Routine collection of numerical data on how many participants have attended the CSE classes carried out by our NMO members, in addition to collecting data on the exact locations and schools where the CSE was carried out.

2) Numerical data collection of how many NMO members have completed the CSE training.

3) Using Google forms with both open and closed – ended questions, in addition to numerical scales on the understanding and knowledge of specific SRHR topics. These forms are sent out to the participants after the CSE classes.