Creating Safer Spaces, Stronger Women: Unbreakabelle
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
For many women, safety is something they are taught to think about constantly, but rarely something they are empowered to take into their own hands.
As a medical student at the University of Nairobi, much of my journey has been rooted in community outreach, medical awareness, and education. Through medical camps and grassroots initiatives, I have seen how access to the right knowledge can transform lives. However, beyond health, I recognized another urgent and often unspoken challenge—one that many young women navigate daily: the need to feel safe.
This realization led to the creation of Unbreakabelle. Unbreakabelle was founded on a simple but powerful idea: to create a space where women can learn to protect themselves while feeling supported, heard, and empowered. The initiative integrates self-defense training, psychological support, and community building. It goes beyond teaching physical techniques—it focuses on shifting mindsets from fear to confidence, and from dependence to self-reliance. The first session brought together university students from diverse backgrounds, many stepping into a completely new experience. While there was initial hesitation, it quickly evolved into energy, curiosity, and meaningful connection. As the session progressed, it became clear that the impact extended beyond the skills being taught. Participants began to carry themselves with greater confidence, engage in open conversations, and find reassurance in a shared sense of community.
By the end of the session, the transformation was evident. Participants left not only with practical self-defense skills but also with renewed confidence and a support network they could rely on. The development of Unbreakabelle was greatly shaped by the MCN Class of 2025 at the University of Nairobi, whose mentorship, structure, and opportunity provided a strong foundation for refining the idea and turning it into a meaningful, impact-driven initiative.
The motivation behind Unbreakabelle is clear: every woman deserves to live without fear, while also having the ability to protect herself if necessary. No one should have to depend solely on others for their safety, every woman should be her own first line of defense.
As a university student, I understand how real and present these safety concerns are. They are part of everyday life for many young women. This is why initiatives like Unbreakabelle are essential. Prevention remains better than cure, and equipping women with the right skills and confidence can create lasting impact.
Like any new initiative, Unbreakabelle faced challenges, particularly in encouraging participants to step outside their comfort zones and embrace something unfamiliar like self-defense training. However, one key lesson emerged: when a safe, welcoming, and judgment-free environment is created, people open up, and that is where real growth begins.
Looking ahead, the vision for Unbreakabelle is to expand beyond a single session. The goal is to reach more schools, universities, and communities, including high school students and young women across different backgrounds. Safety should not be selective—it should be accessible to all. At its core, Unbreakabelle is built on a simple but transformative belief: women can rely on themselves first.
Unbreakabelle primarily advances SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering women with self-defense skills and confidence, while also contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) through promoting safety, mental well-being, and violence prevention.
“Safety isn’t something women should wait for—it’s something we should be equipped to create for ourselves.”
Article written by: Riya Patel
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