This simple self-defense program in Kenya fights gender-based violence by teaching both girls and boys how to respect and protect one another – and the initiative has already resulted in sexual assault rates being cut in half.
The IMpower training program is conducted through 2-hour sessions once per week across six weeks, and only costs $1.
75 to attend. The program’s focus on training girls aged 10 to 19 has a remarkable attendance record with over 12,000 girls being trained in the first two years. Lessons range from physical self-defense, to the concepts of body integrity and consent, to the simple – yet effective – method of repeatedly shouting “NO” to shock would-be attackers and alert bystanders of assault.The training also includes encouraging the participants to chant: “I am strong! I’ve got my spirit! I am beautiful! I can defend myself! I’m worth defending! You cannot hurt me!”
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