Sexual culture among students needs to be safer. That's what a group of students from Utrecht concluded four years ago. In order to change this culture from within, Gelijkspel was established. The foundation expanded to more cities, and after Amsterdam, Groningen and Delft, Jona and his fellow ambassadors are now bringing Gelijkspel to Nijmegen.
The conversation really comes alive. People don’t just passively listen, but instead are eager to share their opinions and experiences.
With their workshop, Gelijkspel visits student organizations to discuss sexual norms. "What does the current sexual culture look like, and how do we feel about that? How do we want to treat each other when it comes to sex? On that basis, we draw up new 'game rules’ together," Jona explains. By rewriting the norm, they hope to make sexual culture safer as well as more fun. "We approach it as positively as possible, so one 'game rule' is also to have fun. I think that's what sex is supposed to be about."
The interactive nature of the workshop creates an open conversation. "The conversation really comes alive. People don’t just passively listen, but instead are eager to share their opinions and experiences. We find that super valuable," said Jona.
Get off to a good start
During the induction week, Gelijkspel gave many workshops to new students. An important target group, Jona believes. "The sex education you get in high school is very basic. They explain how to do it, that you have to use condoms, and that's it." According to Jona, however, theory differs from practice. "When you go to university, you are suddenly in a new social environment. When you're out at the bar, with alcohol in play, how do you treat each other? And if you decide to go to bed with someone, how do you handle that?"
Your sexual well-being carries with you your whole life.
By discussing relatable, everyday cases, Gelijkspel provides tools for real life. "The cases plant the seed. Then when you find yourself in a similar situation, you know what you can and cannot do."
Jona hopes to teach the workshop to all starting Nijmegen students next year. "At least, that's the end goal," he adds with a laugh. "That every student gets off to a good start. After all, your sexual well-being carries with you your whole life."