Dr. Svala Ísfeld Ólafsdóttir received the largest grant from MOJ

Dr. Svala Ísfeld Ólafsdóttir, Associate Professor at Reykjavik University's Department of Law, has been awarded the largest grant in the Icelandic Ministry of Justice's allocation of funding to 11 projects in the field of gender equality. The total amount awarded to the 11 projects is ISK 10 million.

Svala's grant amounts to ISK 1.8 million and will be used to organize a conference and workshop at Reykjavik University on human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

According to Svala, the aim of the conference and workshop is to support the authorities in combating gender-based violence and human trafficking through education, knowledge sharing, stronger professional cooperation, and awareness-raising.

Women and girls make up the vast majority of victims

"The focus is on human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, in which women and girls make up the vast majority of victims worldwide. Events of this kind also support the authorities' efforts to combat gender-based violence and human trafficking, including the Action Plan against Human Trafficking for 2026-2030 and A Safer Iceland, the Minister of Justice's policy and action document against organized crime, published in January 2026," says Svala.

Svala adds that the grant will make it possible to invite international experts to Iceland to share their knowledge and experience in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, as well as in international cooperation on the issue.

"At the same time, experts working in this field in Iceland will provide an overview of the situation in Iceland and the challenges facing the Icelandic authorities," she says.

The conference will be open to everyone, allowing as many professional groups and occupations as possible that come into contact with human trafficking to attend. The workshop, however, will be tailored to professionals who provide services, assistance, or support to victims, as well as law enforcement and justice system personnel working in this field.

Svala received a grant from the same fund last year

Last year, Svala also received a grant from the same fund to organize a conference and workshop on strangulation, one of the most severe forms of gender-based violence. The conference and workshop took place in May this year.

The conference was open to everyone, while the workshop was specifically designed for justice system personnel and professionals who provide assistance, support, or counselling to victims. Nearly 600 people attended in person or watched the conference via livestream, and 70 people participated in the workshop.