The annual SCORA Weekend, which connects medical students from the Czech Republic and Slovakia involved in the SCORA section (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV and AIDS) within the IFMSA organization, was held this year in Brno. The event offered participants current topics in sexual and reproductive health, providing not only education but also mutual inspiration and the opportunity to form new friendships.
After previous editions in Prague and Bratislava, the event was organized this year by the Brno branch of IFMSA, led by the local SCORA coordinator, Kateřina Bartlová. The main theme was childbirth, which is a current topic due to the Constitutional Court's decision on home births and its broad interdisciplinary nature.
Theory and Practice
The program was diverse – from Friday’s teambuilding activities in downtown Brno, which broke the ice between participants from various faculties, to a visit to the Rozkoššš sex shop, where the focus was on the ethical exploration of pleasure, to expert lectures and practical workshops. The atmosphere was friendly and open, fostering discussions and sharing personal opinions.
On Saturday, participants learned about childbirth from the perspectives of various professions. Gynecologist MUDr. Mikulenková explained the path a doctor takes to specialization and the legal framework associated with the roles of different birth participants. Midwife Bc. Červencová introduced the services offered at the Bohunice maternity hospital, from aromatherapy to individual consultations. Doula Holanová provided insights into supporting mothers during labor and emphasized how important it is for women to feel informed and heard during childbirth.
A highly popular workshop led by MUDr. Rieglová allowed participants to try leading a head-first birth on pelvic models. This practical demonstration helped participants better understand the challenges of this situation and the importance of various professionals during childbirth.
Sharing, Quizzes, and Inspiration
The social program on Saturday evening offered space for informal discussions and a quiz focused on sexual education, the LGBT community, and protection methods, prepared by Ivan Murín from the Medikvíz project. Prizes for the competitions were donated by ErosStar, Ria, and Sonnentor.
The weekend concluded with a coffee gathering, where participants shared their impressions and ideas for new projects. The event atmosphere motivated many participants to get more involved in SCORA activities at their home faculties.
The SCORA Weekend is not only an educational event but also an important space for building a community of medical students who want to change the perspective on sexuality, health, and rights in our region.
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