A team of researchers from Kibabii University has been awarded a grant of $8,900 by the International Centre of Martial Arts for Youth Development and Engagement (ICM), operating under the auspices of UNESCO. The funded project, titled “Empowering Girls and Women Through Martial Arts for Safety and Gender-Based Violence Prevention,” is led by Dr. Edwin Masibo (Principal Investigator), with Dr. Patrick Owoche (Co-Principal Investigator) and Olympian Faith Ogallo serving as the martial arts coach.
The project addresses a critical issue in Bungoma County namely; the high prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) and school bullying among adolescent girls. By harnessing the transformative potential of martial arts, the initiative aims to deliver a comprehensive, community-centered intervention that integrates physical training, psychological resilience-building, and institutional capacity enhancement.
“Martial arts is more than physical defense. It’s a gateway to confidence, safety, and mental strength,” remarked Faith Ogallo, who also serves as a lead trainer in the project.
ICM, based in Chungju City, South Korea, champions the role of martial arts in youth development, peacebuilding, and cultural preservation.
The project will directly benefit 180 girls aged 8–18 from high-risk schools in Bungoma County. Participants will be trained in self-defense techniques drawn from Taekwondo, Karate, and Krav Maga. In addition to physical training, the program includes trauma-informed psychological support, legal literacy education, and community awareness campaigns involving parents, teachers, and local leaders.
Dr. Edwin Masibo, who also serves as Director of the Centre for Creative Performing Arts and Sports at Kibabii University, underscored the broader impact of the project:
“We envision a generation of empowered girls who are not only resilient but who also emerge as leaders and advocates for safe, inclusive environments.”
Key partners in the initiative include the Kenya Taekwondo Federation, Kenya Karate Federation, Kenya Red Cross (Bungoma), the County Gender Department, and various local NGOs and schools.
