Criticism of women-only school meetings

Several Copenhagen schools are trying new ways to connect with Muslim mothers.

Tonight, Holbergskolen in the North West district of Copenhagen is hosting a "women's forum" - no men allowed, writes daily newspaper Berlingske Tidende.

They hope that some of the many Muslim women in the school district will show up. According to school principal Søren Ellesøe, it has proved difficult to open up a dialogue with this segment of parents if there are men present in parent-teacher meetings.

- Many years of experience have taught us that immigrant women find it difficult to participate in meetings because they do not feel safe in gatherings that include men. Sometimes, you have to make the effort to meet people on their terms, and find the conditions that allow things like this, Søren Ellesøe tells DR News.

However, the principal emphasizes that the school has no general wish to hold women only - or men only - parent-teacher conferences and other meetings.

- But in this situation, we think it's the right thing to do, he says.

According to Søren Ellesøe, Nørrebro schools Rådmansgade Skole and Blågårdsgades Skole have seen good results from this type of initiative.

The initiative, however, meets with harsh criticism from all sides in Parliament.

- It is completely unacceptable to split up school activities in this manner. We have to nip this thing in the bud, says Dansk Folkeparti leader Pia Kjærsgaard.

Likewise, SF leader Villy Søvndal criticizes the proposal:

- Both parents should have the opportunity of participating in activities connected to their child's education. That is the tradition in Denmark, and we have to send that message to the schools. I expect the Copenhagen Children and Youth Mayor to take action and make it very clear that although the initiative is backed by the best of intentions, we just can't have this type of thing.

Translated by Martin Lamberth