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The girl group method
The girl group method has been developed in the Nordic countries, mainly in Sweden, Finland and the Åland Islands. A girl group consists of six to eight teenage girls, who gather on a regular basis under the guidance of one or two female leaders. The group usually includes teenage girls within a certain age group. The small size of the group fosters a sense of security. The main emphasis lies on discussion, which focuses on seeing society from a gender perspective and aims at highlighting structural injustices that women have to face on a daily bases due to their gender. Discussion topics and other activities are proposed by the girls themselves. In a girl group, girls are given the opportunity to come together on their own terms, without boys. This provides the girls with sufficient space to display their real selves and to feel respected and accepted for who they are. The girl group activities are also meant to assist girls in developing their own set of values and in confronting the influence of other youngsters in socially vulnerable situations. The girl group method has so far been introduced in Lithuania, Belarus and the Kaliningrad region where it is used for prevention of trafficking and other social risks. In 2010-2011 the method will be introduced in Latvia.
Read more about the method here.
The boy group method
Boy group activities are organized in the same way as girl group activities with a strong focus on gender equality and on the building up of an understanding of gender development in society. The boy group functions as a place where the masculine norms and society's masculine ideal is problematized and questioned. During the boy group meetings teenage guys have the possibility of discussing such topics as gender equality and power as well as their own behavioural patterns and attitudes towards women. In 2009 the boy group activities were launched in Lithuania, the Kaliningrad region and Belarus. In 2010-2011 groups are started in Latvia and the ÅIPI will support new groups also on Åland.
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Deepening training for girl and boy group leaders |
 On 15th of January deepening training for the girl and boy group leaders were held on Åland within the project "Challenging Gender Roles for Prevention of Trafficking". The project is implemented in close partnership with Riga-based Resource Center for Women "Marta" and aims to implementing the unique Nordic Girl and Boy Group method, which provide self worth and autonomy, empowerment and equality among youths.
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Girls and Boy Groups started on Åland and in Latvia |
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Twenty-one girl and boy groups have started on Åland and in Latvia and more groups are on the way. These girls and boys groups are part of the cross border project called "Challenging Gender Stereotypes for Prevention of Trafficking " between ÅIPI and the Resource Center for Women "Marta", in Riga (Latvia), which highlights the importance of youth empowerment as a tool for promoting more respectful gender relations and thereby reducing the risk of gender based crime.
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Education for boy and girl group leaders in September |
 September 3rd to 5th the Åland Islands Peace Institute organizes a training for boy- and girl group leaders on Åland. The education is carried out within the INTERREG IV A project entitled "Challenging Gender Stereotypes for Prevention of Trafficking ". The project is implemented in close partnership with Riga-based Resource Center for Women "Marta", to work on implementing the unique Nordic Girl and Boy Group method, informing the wider audience about the importance of making the links between empowerment, gender equality and gender based crime, as well as scientifically researching the outcome.
The BG and GG groups provide the young people with a base from where they can form their own individual opinions on how to act and make choices in everyday life. Group work will lead to enhanced social skills and social networks, this strengthens the participants' possibilities to become active citizens and reduces the risk of them being marginalized.
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Utbildningar för kill- och tjejgruppsledare på Åland |
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 Ålands Fredsinstitut erbjuder utbildningar för dig som är över 18 år och vill bli tjej- eller killgruppsledare. Du behöver inga särskilda förkunskaper för att delta i utbildningarna, det räcker gott och väl med ett stort intresse och engagemang samt en förståelse för könsstrukturer i samhället.
OBS Utbildningen för killgruppsledare är uppskjuten till september pga askmolnet.
Om du från tidigare har en tjejgruppsledarutbildning men vill hålla tjejgrupper i Ålands fredsinstituts regi erbjuder vi en fortbildning för tjejgruppsledare lördagen den 8 maj (programmet är bifogat). Anmälan till fortbildningen för tjejgruppsledare sker senast den 3 maj till:
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eller tel: 23977.
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Seminar and education for girl and boy group leaders |
 On 15th of April an introductory seminar for girl and boy group leaders will be held at Hotel Arkipelag in Mariehamn from 2 p.m to 4 p.m. The seminar targets people who are interested in gender issues and the personal development of young people. 
The seminar, as well as upcoming educational sessions for boy group leaders (23-25 April) and girl group leaders (8 May) will be held in Swedish.
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