Young Women in Uganda Are Learning to Defend Themselves — and Believe in Themselves

For months, 49 of our scholarship students, all young women, have been learning to stand stronger, move with confidence, and respond when they feel unsafe.

This self-defense program was the first of its kind for our team in Uganda, and we started it for a reason. Here, one in three young women report experiencing sexual violence before the age of 18 (Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, 2018).

We want our young women to know how to protect themselves and to believe that they can.

More Than Kicks and Blocks

The scholars started training at the end of the school term, and then during their summer break, they came together for a two-week intensive program, led by the Uganda Police Force martial arts team. The young women trained in personal safety, discipline, and self-defense. They learned to stay composed under pressure and to respond to threatening situations. 

Yet, as the days went on, the most remarkable change was not in their movements, but in their self-belief.

They stood taller. They spoke more boldly. They pushed through difficult exercises and lifted one another up when the training became demanding. What began as physical preparation became a lesson in courage and resilience.

Kellen said she now knows how to defend herself, especially when walking home alone. Leticia said she now knows what to do if someone grabs her from behind. Their words carried a powerful message: they no longer see themselves as helpless.

“I Am Strong”

That transformation came alive at the final presentation at the Samaritan Family Life Centre. Parents, staff, community members and local leaders gathered as the girls stepped forward to show what they had learned.

There were kicks, blocks, and carefully practiced movements, but something else filled the room: confidence. Parents were not simply watching a martial arts demonstration. They were watching their daughters stand before a crowd with discipline, focus, and courage.

I am strong. My voice matters. I can stand up for myself. When young women truly begin to believe that, we may not simply be changing how they respond to danger; we may be changing the way they see their future.

David Kafambe, Uganda Country Director

David has more than 15 years of leadership experience and a deep knowledge of East Africa. He specializes in managing and developing organizations in development and humanitarian contexts. He has degrees in Community Development, Business Administration, and an M.B.A.