Boxgirls Nairobi

• Target group (age group): Youth who join for fun and fitness (girls 10-18), youth who compete (14-24) and women who box for fun and fitness (18-54)
• Location: Nairobi Eastlands, Kenya
• Organisations involved: Boxgirls International and Women Win

Boxgirls Nairobi improves girls' strength and resilience and allows them to better negotiate the urban environment. Boxgirls train as a team to face individual challenges alone. The skills they learn in the ring bring them further in their schooling, family and career. Boxgirls Nairobi creates sporting opportunities for girls and young women in the disadvantaged areas of Nairobi Eastlands.

Girls workout together to become friends, become strong, become aware of the hazards that face them and prepare to fight them together.

Boxgirls International links innovative projects around the world using boxing as a catalyst for social change for women and girls.

Through triweekly training, school events, tournaments and media outreach, an entirely new environment for girls to box in Berlin and in Nairobi has been created. The positive press and parent responses and the close relationships with schools demonstrate the impact of this initiative.

Evaluation work carried out by students at the Humboldt University in Berlin and the German Sports University reported that the female participants feel much safer and stronger after participating in these programmes and take a more proactive approach to their school life.

Member boxers are encouraged to continue their development as licensed coaches and referees. Members in Nairobi are also offered training in using computers and internet. Boxing provides an opportunity to bring people together to fight for community goals.