Building Local Champions to End School-Based Violence in Rumphi

Champions ready to make a difference: 22 facilitators trained to lead Self-Defence for girls and PiaD for boys in Rumphi schools

In Rumphi District, many girls continue to face harassment, coercion and sexual abuse, while boys are often socialised into harmful norms that equate masculinity with dominance or aggression. In schools, awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) exists, but awareness alone is not enough. Girls need practical skills to protect themselves. Boys need safe spaces to question violence and choose peace.

Through its Egmont Trust-funded pilot project, LICO is addressing this gap by adapting a dual model inspired by Tanzania’s Kwa Wazee: Self-Defence for girls and Peace Is A Decision (PiaD) for boys. The project is being implemented in Bolero, Kawaza and Barwe Primary Schools and aims to reach 150 girls and 150 boys directly, while strengthening families, teachers and community protection systems.

A critical milestone in this pilot is the Training of Trainers (ToT) for 22 facilitators, 11 women trained to deliver Self-Defence for girls, and 11 men trained to facilitate PiaD for boys. The training, facilitated by expert trainers from Kwa Wazee and drawing on tested methodologies from Tanzania, equips local champions with both technical skills and trauma-informed facilitation approaches.

Learning to protect, assert, and empower: Self-defence facilitators practice practical self-defence techniques to boost confidence and safety

For girls, the Self-Defence component combines physical techniques, mental alertness and emotional resilience. It moves beyond theory into practical action, teaching girls how to respond in moments of risk, build confidence and assert their boundaries.

Tapiwa Kumwenda, Matron at Barwe Primary School and one of the trained facilitators, shared her experience:

“When I first heard about the training, I thought we would just learn theory. But what we are learning here is practical and powerful. These skills will help our girls in their everyday lives. They will have techniques to protect themselves and to feel safe. I am excited because this will truly change their confidence.”

Fanny Kumwenda, Community Trainer from Bolero Primary School, reflected on the importance of this approach:

“Many children experience different forms of violence, and sometimes they are afraid to speak out. Through this training, we are learning new ways to help children open up and protect themselves. We are not only teaching them to report abuse, we are focusing on preventing it before it happens. I am very happy because our schools will change.”

Tapiwa Kumwenda (standing in the middle) practices self-defence techniques during the facilitator training.

For boys, the PiaD training addresses identity, power, anger management, empathy and decision-making. Instead of labelling boys as perpetrators, the model recognises them as potential allies in preventing violence. It challenges harmful masculinity norms and promotes peaceful relationships.

Choosing peace, challenging harmful norms: PiaD facilitators engage in activities that teach empathy, anger management, and respectful relationships.

The ToT strengthens LICO’s capacity to operationalise a culturally adapted dual approach, as outlined in the project concept. It ensures that trained facilitators can establish Self-Defence and PiaD clubs within schools, mentor peer leaders, and work alongside Child Protection Committees and community stakeholders to reinforce positive norms.

The expected impact goes beyond individual skills. The project aims to increase girls’ confidence and perceived safety, improve boys’ attitudes toward gender equality and non-violence, and foster supportive community environments where protection becomes a shared responsibility. Evidence generated through baseline, midline and endline evaluations will guide future scale-up within LICO’s broader gender equality programming.

The Training of Trainers was officially opened by LICO Executive Director Peter Gondwe and the Director of Education, Youth and Sports for Rumphi District, Fides Msowoya, reaffirming institutional commitment and district-level support for strengthening school-based violence prevention efforts in Rumphi district.