The Self Defense Movement, Nigeria

Day 2 of our Self-Defense Outreach at GSS Tudun Wada!

Building on the foundation set on Day 1, our team focused on practical empowerment and equipping students with the tools they need to stay safe against SGBV.

Here is how the day unfolded:
- The Male Cohort: Continued deep-dive discussions on key safety topics identified by the boys themselves on Day 1, fostering deep reflection and accountability.
- The Female Cohort: Participated in a technical workshop on DIY self-defense and were equipped with practical safety tools, including whistles, pepper sprays, and educational pamphlets.
- Physical Instruction: Sensei Pedro and the Martial Arts team took the students from theory to practice! Everyone went outdoors for a hands-on physical self-defense training session to build muscle memory and confidence.
- Data & Feedback: We concluded by distributing post-assessment forms to measure knowledge retention and gather feedback to improve our future outreaches.

Knowledge is power, but practical skills and tools save lives.

Thank you to the school administration, our incredible facilitators, team members , and the amazing students of GSS Tudun Wada! 💪✨

Every child deserves to grow up feeling seen, valued, protected, and empowered. 💜

Confidence helps children believe in themselves, courage gives them the strength to face challenges, and self worth reminds them that they are enough just as they are. When we nurture these values in both boys and girls, we raise a generation that is stronger, kinder, and ready to create positive change in society.

At The Self Defense Movement Nigeria, we are committed to building young people who are confident in their voices, courageous in their actions, and secure in their identity.
Because every child matters. Every voice matters. Every future matters. ✨

Today, we celebrate the strength, dreams, creativity, and limitless potential of every boy child. 💜🧡

Boys deserve safe spaces where they can grow, learn, express themselves freely, and become responsible leaders, compassionate friends, and positive contributors to society. When we invest in boys through education, mentorship, emotional support, and strong values, we are building stronger families, healthier communities, and a brighter future for generations to come.

This year’s theme reminds us that every boy deserves the opportunity to flourish and thrive not just academically, but emotionally, mentally, and socially. Raising boys with kindness, confidence, discipline, and purpose creates men who will lead with integrity and impact.

Let us continue to guide, protect, and empower the boy child to dream boldly, speak openly, and live meaningfully.

Happy International Day of the Boy Child. ✨

On Day 1 of our intense session at GSS Tudun Wada in Jos, Plateau State, we educated 287 students (ages 11-14) with life-changing safety education. Equipping them with knowledge and options for their safety in standing up for themselves and fighting GBV.

We believe that to solve gender-based violence, we must start from the foundation and address the specific social dynamics that boys and girls face.

By using a gender-specific curriculum, our facilitators were able to:
1. Establish a knowledge baseline through pre-assessments.
2. Deep dive into the realities of GBV and its various forms.
3. Adress Cultural norms that encourage or excuse sexual violence
4. Host interactive dialogues that allowed students to feel safe, ask questions and speak their truth.
5. Share educational pamphlets to ensure learning continues and they can share with their peers.

It was no surprise that the majority of students were unaware that GBV was a crime, or how certain “normal” behaviours actually create unsafe spaces. However, we could see a change in perspective and young people who were willing to do what is right and stand for their rights.

We appreciate the team for pouring out their time, energy and passion into educating these young ones ! Thank you ❤️

Tomorrow and Friday , we impact the lives of school children to fight against sexual and Gender Based Violence !!!
Join us ✨

Violence starts with a mindset 🧠.

As shown in the Pyramid of Sexual Violence, the foundation of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is built on daily ‘small’ actions like r**e jokes, victim-blaming, and rigid gender roles. When we normalize these, we pave the way for severe human rights violations.

At The Self Defense Movement, Nigeria, we believe empowerment starts with accountability. To end the cycle, we must dismantle the base of this pyramid.

We must create spaces where violence is never justifiable. Let’s hold each other accountable.

Empowerment is the ultimate armor.

We’re heading to Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Jos on May 7th and 8th to equip students with vital self-defense skills in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). 🛡️💪

​We believe every child deserves the strength to stand up for themselves and the confidence to stay safe.

Want to be part of the change? We are looking for passionate volunteers to join our mission!

​Sign up now at bit.ly/selfdefense-volunteer2026 or contact us at +234 706 473 2404 for more details.

Let’s build a safer future for our youth, one strike at a time. 🇳🇬

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