GRÓ GEST Fellows Visit Konukot
Yesterday, fellows from the 2022 GEST cohort visited Konukot, an overnight shelter for homeless women in Reykjavík. The fellows were welcomed by Halldóra R. Guðmundsdóttir, Director of Konukot along with with team leader Helga Lind Mar, and Kristín Pálsdóttir, spokesperson for the Root, Association for Women‘s Welfare. Konukot has been operated by the Root since 2020, by contract with the City of Reykjavík. The visit began with Kristín introducing the Root and its ideology and principles, including those of harm reduction and a holistic approach to the issues of problematic substance use. Kristín, Halldóra and Helga responded to many questions from fellows, about both policies and the workings and daily life in the shelter, after which Halldóra and Helga led the fellows around the facilities, continuing the discussion.
The visit is one of a series of field visits and extracurricular lectures where the fellows have the opportunity to learn about Icelandic grassroots activities, organisations, and policies supporting the advancement of gender equality in Iceland.