by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
Rape is a global issue affecting many women around the world. According to UN on ending violence against women and girls, ‘every year, millions of women and girls worldwide suffer violence; domestic violence, rape, female genital mutilation/cutting, dowry-related killing, trafficking, sexual violence in conflict-related situations or other manifestations of abuse.
Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, Africa, is one among the many with high rape cases. According to Crime Scene Investigation Nairobi, rape is the most highly under reported crime in Kenya, with only one out of the twenty, who report a rape case, while one in six seek medical assistance. In a day, at least 300 rape cases are reported.
In 2010, in an effort to help girls protect themselves from sexual assaults, a non-government organisation ‘No Means No Worldwide’ launched the self-defense technique. The aim of the program was to train young girls and women on self-defense techniques as a tool to protect them from such violence, and to curb rape issues that are affecting the women in Nairobi.
The six weeks program attracted many young girls when launched. The girls were taught on the techniques not only to protect themselves from the violence but to also protect them from the system. Since its implementation, according to Journal of Adolescent Health, the program has seen shocking reduction by 63 percent in the incidence of rape for girls when compared to a control group – from 24 percent to 9.2 percent.
Over time, the rape incidents began to drop with more girls reporting rape cases, and also speaking out about their traumatic experiences. With positive outcomes seen from the program, two programs were designed; ‘Your Moment of Truth’ and ‘Sources of Strength’ for the boys. The two were designed to primarily educate young boys that rape is wrong and to protect girls from rape or any other forms of violence they may encounter.
Today, the programs continues to see increasing number of female engaged. The positive results will see the program be required in all secondary schools in Nairobi by 2017.
