Launch of the “No Means No” programme in schools in Beira and Nhamatanda
From 24 to 27 June 2025, GCR and Light for the World launched the “No Means No” component of the InPower project in schools in Beira and Nhamatanda, with the goal of reaching 2,000 young people with and without disabilities by 2027.
Between 24 and 27 June 2025, Girl Child Rights (GCR), in partnership with Light for the World (LFTW), officially launched the “No Means No” component in the districts of Beira and Nhamatanda, in Sofala province. The launch marks the start of a new stage of the InPower project, which aims to equip adolescents with and without disabilities to prevent gender-based violence.
The goal for 2027
By 2027, the programme aims to reach 2,000 young people: 1,300 with disabilities and 700 without disabilities. It uses the international curriculum of No Means No Worldwide, centred on mental, verbal and physical self-defence techniques.
The launch in schools
The launch took place in two secondary schools, one in the city of Beira and one in Nhamatanda, and involved 60 students (30 girls and 30 boys). This pilot activity served to test and introduce participatory teaching methods that prepare young people to say “no” with confidence, recognise risky situations and support their peers in preventing sexual violence.
Who took part
The event was attended by a range of institutional and community actors:
- representatives of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Gender;
- district and provincial education and gender focal points;
- civil society leaders;
- technical teams from GCR and LFTW.
The government authorities expressed support for the initiative and highlighted its potential to reduce violence in schools and to strengthen protection mechanisms for children and young people in school and community settings.
Main results of the launch
- Active participation of students and facilitators.
- Institutional support and interest in expanding the programme to other schools.
- Positive validation of the curriculum, considered effective and suited to the local context.
What to improve
- Better advance coordination with school management.
- More teaching and visibility materials.
- Translation of the content into local languages, for greater accessibility.
- Formal sharing of the manuals and tools with institutional and education partners.
About the project
“No Means No” is part of the InPower project, implemented by GCR with Light for the World.
For protection reasons, we do not publish the names of the people we support or images that could identify them.
