Sexual health is an important part of the overall health and well-being of individuals. It is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality. Sexual health has a major impact on couple and family relationships, but also on the social and economic development of communities and countries.
According to the World Health Organisation, sexual health involves a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, free from discrimination and violence. Sexual rights are a human right that includes the right to have control over one’s own body, sexuality and reproduction.
Education must be provided in a safe environment and adapted to the needs of migrants, considering cultural and linguistic aspects. In addition, training in sexual health for professionals working with migrants needs to be improved.
The ICEX project responds to these training needs. The project aims to increase the sexual health knowledge and skills of adult migrants and professionals working with them. The aim is also to create innovative and culturally sensitive tools for teaching migrants about sexual health.
Project Τitle: ICEX – Innovative and Culturally Sensitive Educational Package for Migrants’ Sexual Health Education
Project Duration: 01 November 2022 – 31 October 2025
Project URL: https://icex.turkuamk.fi/
Project Framework: ERASMUS+ KA2-Strategic Partnerships
Funding: 400.000,00€ (UNIWA: 61.170,00€)
Scientific coordinator (UNIWA): Evanthia Sakellari
Consortium – Partners:
Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland (coordinator)
Turku Christian Institute, Finland
University of West Attica, Greece
KMOP–Social Action & Innovation Centre, Greece
Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Lisboa, Portugal
APF – Family Planning Association, Portugal
Estonian Refugee Council, Estonia
Results
The main ICEX results will be:
- To provide the best available knowledge and pedagogical practices of sexual health education among adult migrants and professionals working with them by developing the ICEX Framework
- To co-create accurate and easy-to-use materials in sexual health education by developing an onlineICEX Toolbox
- To provide evidence-based guidance in sexual health education for professionals working with adult migrants by developing the ICEX eHandbook
