Kibera girls undergo self-defence training to prevent sexual violence

Over 100 girls in Kibera have undergone self-defence training to protect themselves against sexual harassment and any sort of abuse.

The training comes at the backdrop of the increasing number of rape and molestation incidences in the area.

The training was offered by Freely in Hope in partnership with Ujamaa Africa and Impact Beyond Borders, as the world commemorates the International Day of the Girl Child this month.

According to Freely in Hope’s strategic growth director, self-defence training can decrease the incidents of rape by up to 47 per cent.

“This training will empower women and girls to use their voices, and increase their body confidence as they use these powerful tools to keep themselves safe from sexual and physical abuse,” Trizah Gakwa said.

Chiraphone Khamphouvong, the founder and visionary developer at Impact Beyond Borders said the self-defence training will equip women and young girls with tools to identify and prevent violence from occurring to them and others.

He added that it will also help them in actively promoting peace one woman at a time.

The one-day intensive course teaches girls various techniques to protect themselves.

It is designed to help women identify their risks and evaluate their strengths, and to explore their options for dealing with the threat of sexual violence using verbal and physical strategies.

“Perpetrators are people close to them, the uncle's, neighbours, dads, this is why they fear speaking out.

"Over 90 percent of the girls believe that it's a man’s right to have sex with a woman, and this is why this kind of training is important to show them why it’s important to report these cases,” Nahima Abdullahi, Ujamaa Africa’s Nairobi County Programme Coordinator said.

Kibera is Africa’s largest slum, located in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi.

According to a study by the University of Nairobi, 56 per cent of 13 to 18-year-old girls in Kibera have experienced some form of sexual abuse. Moreover, this study also found that only 12 percent of the sexual abuse victims actually reported their abuse.

A Unicef report indicated that one in every ten girls worldwide is raped or sexually assaulted before they reach the age of 19.