On Wednesday, November 22, RealStars and H.M. Queen Silvia’s Foundation “Care About the Children” held a gala titled “Why ‘sex’ cannot be bought” at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Kungsholmen. During the gala, schools and students who have worked the best and most creatively for Fair Sex and against sexual exploitation over the past year were honored. We also heard a conversation between RealStars’ Secretary General Malin Roux Johansson and the author of the book “Would you want to? May I? Shall we?”, Gunilla Zulieta, as well as a panel discussion on the school’s work and role in establishing norms regarding Fair Sex among students.
In 2023, RealStars Stockholm, with the support of H.M. Queen Silvia’s Foundation, conducted a school project aimed at high schools that reached over 4,000 students, where RealStars lectured on Fair Sex and why “sex” cannot be bought. To encourage schools to continue working on these issues, two competitions were launched – the first targeted schools, asking them to detail what they had done in 2023 to raise topics related to sex, consent, and relationships. The second competition was a creative contest for students, where they were invited to create art for Fair Sex. During the gala, those who had performed best and most creatively were awarded.
We are pleased to announce that Stockholm’s Best Fair Sex School of 2023 is Psykologigymnasiet.
In the art competition, the winners were Klara from Kulturama, Felicia from Psykologigymnasiet, and Frida, Siri, and Corinne from Sjölins Gymnasium Södermalm.
Thank you to all who participated in the competitions and a special congratulations to our two other finalists in the school competition – Nacka Gymnasium and Kunskapsgymnasiet Globen.
During the gala evening, we also had a panel discussion with:
Gunilla Zuleta, author and teacher – you can find her book “Do you want to? May I? Shall we?” here
Gabriella Kärnekull Wolfe, expert and founder of ChildX and Inte din Hora
Karin Johansson, psychologist at Ellencentret and 1000möjligheter
Siri Turesson Blackman – subject teacher at Kärrtorps Gymnasium
Cecilia Wahlgren – school counselor and social worker at Psykologigymnasiet and CISU
The panel discussed the need for increased knowledge among teachers, but noted that it is difficult to find time, especially when it is not mandatory. This results in only teachers who are interested in these issues educating themselves and conducting lessons on the topic, even though everyone should have the knowledge. The panel also discussed the fact that children and young people’s contact with sex buyers occurs everywhere, even during school hours. Therefore, it is important to have the courage to see, act, and ask at the slightest suspicion that a child is being exposed – and to be prepared to respond by guiding the child to further support.
In conclusion, we would like to send a huge thank you to our sponsors who helped us celebrate the winners in the best possible way: Fotografiska, Laserdome Kungsholmen, Birka Bowling och dart, Liber förlag, Lind & co, and Mathilda Hofling. We also wish to express a special thank you to the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, which generously allowed us to use their facilities for both the gala and the art exhibition throughout the week.