Improving the physical and mental health of girls through boxing

In Kenya, about 60% of the population is under 24. This youth is at risk of developing depressive symptoms, as shown by studies after the Covid-19 pandemic. The social and economic vulnerability of many of them also exposes them to all kinds of violence within households and their communities. Young girls in particular are regularly victims of abuse and sexual violence, causing cases of severe trauma among some of them.
BoxGirls Kenya offers boxing programs for young girls from disadvantaged environments aged between 8 and 23. They serve as a mechanism for self-defense, developing self-confidence, and awareness-raising, as well as dialogue on issues that are generally considered taboo.
The program involves more than 600 girls and young women who meet every week for initiation and training sessions as part of inclusive programs based on physical and mental health.
 

• Organization of weekly training sessions in schools in the slums of Nairobi and rural areas, as well as two boxing tournaments a year;
• Integration of sessions with awareness-raising activities on the risks of unprotected sexual relations;
• Training for coaches and getting them to run programs in the various communities;
• Organization of two major annual events (“Girls Tea Talk” and “Girls Sport Summit”) to encourage dialogue on these issues;
• Provision of electronic tools for the beneficiaries on self-defense techniques and mental well-being;
• Training in leadership/entrepreneurship for young girls, as well as follow-up support for 20 mini-projects for well-being and sport carried out by girls in their communities.

• Improvement in the self-defense skills of girls;
• Awareness-raising among the main actors on the issues of mental health, gender and sexual stereotypes, as well as the taboos related to the sexuality and education of girls;
• 50 girls have been selected and supported for a leadership and mentoring program to help empower them, and 20 mini-projects have been set up;
• 30 trainers have been given access to information and tools enabling them to effectively implement community-based projects through sport.