UNFPA Deputy Representative – Pilar de la Corte Molina with Jane Anyango, Founder of Polycom Girls, during the commemoration of International Women’s
Polycom Girls, in partnership with UNFPA Kenya, marked International Women’s Day with a self-defense and personal safety training for adolescent girls and young women.
The event, held at Rowland Camp under the theme “Accelerate Action,” aimed to equip participants with essential Taekwondo self-defense skills to help them protect themselves from violence. The initiative comes amid alarming statistics: according to Africa Data Hub, Kenya recorded 127 femicide cases, while the 2024 Kenya Security Report revealed over 7,100 reported cases of GBV since September 2023.
Speaking during the event, Jane Anyango, Founder of Polycom Girls, emphasized the importance of preventive measures. “We are creating a space where girls can learn to take care of themselves, say no to violence, and advocate for their safety. This is about empowering them with knowledge, confidence, and self-protection skills.” She added that while 120 girls participated in the training, the program will expand to other counties.
Caroline Murgor, GBV and Gender Advisor for UNFPA Kenya, highlighted the importance of engaging young people in GBV awareness. “Through our ‘Sports for Protection’ program, young people not only learn self-defense but also become champions of change in their communities. Addressing femicide and GBV must be holistic, involving both men and boys as allies.”
Polycom Girls, UNFPA Kenya commemorates International Women’s day with self-defense training against GBV
Self-defense instructor Caroline Ambani stressed that self-defense is about empowerment rather than aggression. “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.”
Master Benson Voiya, Chairman of the Nairobi Taekwondo Association, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of training women in self-defense due to their heightened vulnerability to GBV. Daniel Ochieng Maboso, a representative from one of Polycom’s partner schools, noted that challenges such as unsafe home environments, lack of sanitary pads, and cultural barriers put girls at risk. He called for self-defense training to be incorporated into school curriculums.
UNFPA Deputy Representative Pilar de la Corte Molina underscored the need for broader systemic change. “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 builds confidence, the real solution lies in policy-making, community engagement, and working with stakeholders to create an environment where women and girls are treated equally.”
The Taekwondo self-defense sessions serve as a powerful platform for advocacy and action against GBV and femicide. Organizers are calling on the government, communities, and institutions to take stronger action in protecting women and girls.