In the rural municipality of Drenas, where conservative norms historically have often shaped school practices, the NGO Humanus Vita took a bold step to challenge entrenched stereotypes and promote gender equality through education. Their initiative focused on 8th-grade Biology teachers and school principals across four public schools in urban and rural settings. They aimed to assess how sexual education is currently addressed in schools, as well as to build awareness and encourage concrete change within schools and institutions.
A Grounded and Inclusive Approach
Fully supported by the Municipal Directorate of Education via a Memorandum of Understanding, Humanus Vita were granted access for observing classrooms and interviewing teachers and principals. This provided direct insights from those implementing the curriculum. Over the following weeks, Humanus Vita staff observed eight biology classes where sexual education topics were covered, even though such topics are formally planned for the second semester. This flexibility, granted voluntarily by teachers, was a clear sign of their willingness to improve how these subjects are taught. Simultaneously, structured interviews were conducted with four teachers and four school principals. Interviews explored how topics such as puberty, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), sexual identity, and gender norms were being taught or avoided, and how much training teachers had received to handle them. Data revealed several gaps: no Biology teachers had been trained in gender-responsive or transformative teaching methods, or in sexual education. Moreover, while teaching, some teachers showed signs of bias toward Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and other identifying persons (LGBTQI+) issues, highlighting a pressing need to address stereotypes among educators.
Meanwhile, student engagement, especially among girls, was high. Teachers noted that students, when given the space, asked questions without hesitation and showed great interest in accurate, age-appropriate information. A teacher remarked, “The pace of life and the information students access online make it essential for them to receive accurate and scientific education about sexually transmitted diseases, family planning, sexual identity, and puberty.”
From Data to Advocacy
After gathering information, Humanus Vita engaged with local institutions. On 16 Nov, 20 participants from local government, civil society, schools, and media gathered to discuss findings and recommendations. This included the urgent need for teacher training, curriculum reform, and improved school infrastructure, especially for girls and students with disabilities.
A school principal emphasized, “I believe that sexual education should be included as a separate subject in the school curriculum.” The roundtable opened a broader conversation about transforming the current system. Key actors, such as the Director of Education, a municipal representative, and the Gender Equality Officer, expressed readiness to consider concrete measures, including integrating sexual education as a standalone subject or strengthening its place within the Biology curriculum.
Toward Sustainable Change
Rather than imposing change from the outside, Humanus Vita built trust with educators, creating space for honest discussion. Teachers and principals openly acknowledged the challenges they face, not only in terms of curriculum, but also in infrastructure, training, and support for gender equality.
Through media outreach, including coverage by Radio Kosova, Syri.net, and the Kosova Times, their initiative raised public awareness about the importance of scientifically accurate and inclusive sexual education.
While systemic transformation takes time, Humanus Vita’s initiative has already begun to shift attitudes and spark institutional reflection. As one participant concluded: “At a time when human values are beginning to fade, it is necessary to introduce moral and sexual education as a school subject.”
Humanus Vita’s initiative “Inclusion of Sexual Education and Challenging Stereotypes towards Transforming Gender Norms through Education” was carried out with support from the Kosovo Women’s Network via the Kosovo Women’s Fund with funding from the Austrian Development Agency and the Swedish Development Agency, in the amount of €4,916.00, from August to November 2023. The initiative contributed directly to KWN’s Program on Gender Transformative Education, which aims to reshape social norms through inclusive and equitable learning.
