Margrét Pála Ólafsdóttir is an educator, founder and CEO of the Hjallastefnan schools. She has developed the “Hjalli” method, separating girls and boys in nursery and primary schools. She tells euronews reporter Valérie Gauriat how this actually helps to empower girls, breaks gender stereotypes, and paves the way for more democratic societies.
In Iceland, one of the world's most gender-equal countries, a pre-school educator is using a unique method to undo gender stereotypes before they take root in children. "They are two years old when they have formed this ender identity, and they become so gender traditional," says Margrét Pálá Ólafsdóttir.
In Iceland, equality begins at school. Euronews reporter Valerie Gauriat takes us on a journey through Icelandic society to discover the secret ingredients that give the country a lead in the fight for gender equality.
A performance by Reykjavíkurdætur (the Daughters of Reykjavik), an Icelandic feminist rap collective who rap about gender issues. Photograph: Nicholas Rhodes/Corbis via Getty Images
Many people, even in Iceland, shut down at the mention of single-sex education. It seems counter-productive to equality but it isn’t. The classes are segregated for intelligent reasons, and all the children play together during breaks.
Cuando en 1989 una educadora islandesa decidió separar a los niños y niñas en los colegios muchos lo vieron como un regreso al pasado.
“The idea of splitting up the sexes comes from the children. They give me lots of ideas.” - Margrét Pála Ólafsdóttir, 1992
Boys put on nail polish and play with gender-neutral dolls, while girls are taught to be more courageous and self-confident.
by Saphora Smith / Oct.04.2018 / 8:52 AM GMT+1 / Updated Oct.04.2018 / 1:34 PM GMT+1
Margrét Pála Ólafsdóttir is an educator, founder and CEO of the Hjallastefnan schools. She has developed the “Hjalli” method, separating girls and boys in nursery and primary schools. She tells euronews reporter Valérie Gauriat how this actually helps to empower girls, breaks gender stereotypes, and paves the way for more democratic societies.
In Iceland, one of the world's most gender-equal countries, a pre-school educator is using a unique method to undo gender stereotypes before they take root in children. "They are two years old when they have formed this ender identity, and they become so gender traditional," says Margrét Pálá Ólafsdóttir.
In Iceland, equality begins at school. Euronews reporter Valerie Gauriat takes us on a journey through Icelandic society to discover the secret ingredients that give the country a lead in the fight for gender equality.
Girls are trained in physical strength here. Credit: ITV On Assignment
A performance by Reykjavíkurdætur (the Daughters of Reykjavik), an Icelandic feminist rap collective who rap about gender issues. Photograph: Nicholas Rhodes/Corbis via Getty Images
Many people, even in Iceland, shut down at the mention of single-sex education. It seems counter-productive to equality but it isn’t. The classes are segregated for intelligent reasons, and all the children play together during breaks.
Credit: Mercatornet - Girl Scouts compete in the USS California Science Experience at Naval Surface Warfare. US Navy via Wikimedia