Dolna Banya, 20-23 July, 2021
Two events of main importance for the Learning Action Partnership (LAP) took place in July 2021 in Dolna Banya. In the beginning of the month was reviewed the Strategic Plan for Action of the network in the context of the dynamic changing political environment. The sociologist Asen Blagoev presented actual data on the social map of the country. One of the important recommendations given to LAP is health education and information on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) to be wider and regularly presented subject in school curriculum. Prevention of sexual violence and exploitation is a part of the topics, covered in the health and sexuality education wide topic. Up to the moment the knowledge for improving SRH are without stable financing from structural funds via the national budget. In this sense the efforts on advocacy for enlarging SRH in the curriculum of the middle and upper grade remain important for LAP.
In the period July 20-23 the partners working on prevention of sexual exploitation of children gathered and discussed the work of preliminary preparation of the informational campaign of LAP foreseen for the autumn of 2021. The idea is the campaign to raise awareness towards sexual exploitation of children and to show publicly the variety of faces of the problem and the ways everyone could react in order to terminate, prevent and save children victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking. As main target publics of the campaign were defined teenagers, parents and teachers, who frequently don’t have understanding and sensitiveness towards the problem.
The participants in the events identified a need of explaining main terms for teachers and parents, and defined the need of building trustful connection between children and parents as key moment for the aims of prevention of sexual exploitation, that can be initiated or happen online. One of the main aims of the campaign is the creation of responsive and proactive attitude of people towards the problem with the appeal to be a part of the prevention mechanism, so that it could fully work.
Glossary of terms for the work of LAP members was discussed and approved, and a manual with methodology for preparation of youngsters for peer trainers and professionals was presented (it was developed in the frame of one of the small projects of LAP called ‘Young People Lead the Change’). LAP members took part in rhythm workshop on communication, impact and messages transmission.
Here is an example on how to talk on the subject: It is not possible simply to leave a child, victim of violence and sexual exploitation. If you know that someone is in trouble, call 116111 or 124123, as well look for help in Zona ZaKrila centers in the country.
The meetings were realized in the frame of the project of the Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) ‘ The Ability to Change’, supported by the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation.
Pictures: Anton Vassilev Photography
