Empowering Young Champions for Safety and Peace in Bolero

In Bolero Zone of Rumphi District, many adolescents grow up facing serious challenges that threaten their safety, confidence and wellbeing. Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), harmful gender norms and risky behaviours among young people remain pressing concerns in many communities. Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to harassment, coercion and violence, while boys often grow up in environments where aggression and dominance are wrongly perceived as signs of strength. These realities affect not only the safety of young people but also their education, relationships and future opportunities.

For years, Life Concern (LICO) has remained committed to addressing these challenges by promoting gender equality, safeguarding children and supporting safer communities. Through its work with schools, families and community leaders, the organisation continues to champion initiatives that empower adolescents with knowledge, skills and confidence to prevent violence and build respectful relationships.

As part of this commitment, LICO is implementing a one-year pilot project aimed at equipping young people with practical tools to prevent and respond to violence while promoting peaceful behaviour among adolescents. The project, funded by the Egmont Trust (UK), is being implemented in Bolero, Barwe and Kawaza Primary Schools, and aims to directly reach 2,000 adolescents across the three school communities.

Recently, LICO conducted a three-day training for Self-Defence Champions and Peace is a Decision (PIAD) Ambassadors, equipping selected learners with leadership and facilitation skills to support their peers. The training reached 111 adolescents, including 66 girls and 45 boys, drawn from the three participating schools.

For the girls, the self-defence training focused on building confidence, awareness and practical techniques that help them respond to unsafe situations. Through interactive demonstrations and guided practice, the girls learned how to recognise danger, assert themselves and use self-defence techniques that can help protect them in threatening situations. These skills not only strengthen their ability to respond to risks but also build self-esteem and courage.

At the same time, boys participated in the Peace is a Decision (PIAD) sessions, which focused on transforming attitudes and behaviours related to masculinity, power and relationships. Through discussions and participatory learning activities, the boys explored the importance of empathy, respect and responsible decision-making. The sessions encouraged them to challenge harmful norms and become advocates for non-violence within their schools and communities.

This training builds on a Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative that prepared facilitators and assistant trainers to deliver the self-defence and PIAD sessions effectively. With this foundation in place, the selected adolescents are now prepared to serve as Self-Defence Champions and PIAD Peace Ambassadors, supporting the delivery of peer-led learning activities in their schools.

These champions will play a key role in establishing and strengthening self-defence and peace clubs in Bolero, Barwe and Kawaza Primary Schools. Through these clubs, the trained adolescents will share knowledge with fellow learners, demonstrate self-defence techniques, facilitate discussions on positive behaviour and encourage respectful interactions among peers.

The enthusiasm and active participation observed during the training demonstrated the strong potential of adolescents to become powerful agents of change. Many participants confidently demonstrated newly acquired skills and showed readiness to support fellow learners during future club sessions.

Through initiatives like this, LICO continues to demonstrate its commitment to ending gender-based violence and promoting safer learning environments for young people. By empowering both girls and boys with the knowledge and skills to challenge violence and embrace peaceful choices, the organisation is helping to shape a generation that values safety, dignity and mutual respect.

As the newly trained champions begin engaging their peers, the project is steadily building a network of young leaders who will influence positive change within their schools and across the Bolero community. With continued support from LICO, these adolescents are becoming voices for safety and peace, helping ensure that every learner can grow and thrive in an environment free from violence.