Learning self-defense is emerging as a crucial tool for women and girls in Kenya as the country grapples with a surge in femicide and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
With the alarming rise in cases, self-defense training is not just about physical skills but also about empowerment, confidence, and reclaiming personal safety.
In response to this crisis, Polycom Girls, in partnership with UNFPA, marked International Women’s Day with a Taekwondo Self-Defense and Personal Safety Session at Rowland Camp.
The initiative aims to equip adolescent girls and young women with essential self-protection skills, enabling them to defend themselves and advocate for their safety.
Jane Anyango, founder of Polycom Girls, emphasized the importance of preventative measures in creating safe spaces where girls can learn to stand up against violence.
“This is about empowering women with knowledge, confidence, and self-protection skills,” she said, noting that the session engaged 120 girls, with plans to expand the program to other counties.
UNFPA Kenya’s GBV and Gender Advisor, Caroline Murgor, highlighted the role of the ‘Sports for Protection’ program in raising awareness about GBV among young people.
“Through this initiative, young people learn how to protect themselves from violence while also becoming champions of change in their communities,” she stated, underscoring the need for a holistic approach that includes men and boys as allies.
Taekwondo coach and self-defense specialist Caroline Ambani stressed that self-defense is not about aggression but about empowerment.
“Femicide is rampant. By equipping girls with self-defense skills, we contribute to reducing these tragic cases. It is crucial that they learn how to protect themselves and stay safe,” she said.
Master Benson Voiya, Chairman of the Nairobi Taekwondo Association, reinforced the importance of training women in self-defense, given their disproportionate vulnerability to GBV.
Daniel Ochieng Maboso, representing one of the schools involved in Polycom’s programs, called for integrating self-defense training into school curriculums, recognizing the many challenges girls face, including unsafe home environments and cultural barriers.
UNFPA Deputy Representative Pilar de la Corte Molina delivered a sobering statistic: Every ten minutes, a girl or woman somewhere in the world dies at the hands of an intimate partner or as a result of gender-based violence.
While self-defense training fosters confidence and resilience, she emphasized that the real solution lies in policy-making, community engagement, and systemic change.
“Tae-kwondo self-defense sessions serve as a powerful platform for advocacy, awareness, and action in addressing gender-based violence and femicide. We call upon the media to amplify this crucial conversation and urge the government, communities, and institutions to take stronger action in protecting women and girls,” she said.
The crisis of femicide and GBV in Kenya is undeniable.
Africa Data Hub reported approximately 127 femicide cases, while the 2024 Kenya Security Report recorded over 7,100 reported GBV cases since September 2023.
The surge has prompted the government to form a special committee to address the crisis. However, beyond policy interventions, initiatives like self-defense training are offering women and girls a sense of agency, safety, and hope.
