International Day of The Girl Child 2025 – SISEAP

Welcome to a day dedicated to celebrating the power, potential, and rights of girls all around the world – International Day of the Girl Child

Educating girls in being safe

SI Melaka in Malaysia believes that education is the first step toward empowerment. One of its flagship initiatives is an educational initiative that teaches young girls the difference between safe touch and unsafe touch.

These workshops focus on empowering children with essential life skillS, teaching them how to protect themselves, recognise unsafe situations, and understand their right to feel safe whether they are at school, at home, or in public.

Through interactive activities, role plays, and group discussions, students learned how to:

•  Identify unsafe behaviours and potential threats that make them feel uncomfortable
•  Speak up confidently and seek help from trusted adults and assert their right to say no
•  Respect personal boundaries and the boundaries of others
•  Support their peers and stand against bullying or violence

By involving both students and teachers, the Club is building a community of safety and care, where every child knows they are valued, protected and empowered.

The Origins of the Project

The Personal Safety for Children Project was originally developed by SI Club Bangsar and later adopted and customised by SI Melaka to meet local community needs.

The initiative is especially focused on educating young girls about their rights. It teaches them that:

• Their body belongs to them
• They have the right to say “no” to any touch that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe
• They should express themselves and confide in a trusted adult if they are unsure about a situation
• They can respond effectively when faced with unsafe or harmful circumstances

This project tackles the sensitive yet critical issue of child sexual harassment, a challenge often hidden due to underreporting, stigma and cultural barriers. By providing knowledge and practical skills, the Club helps young girls protect themselves, fostering both well-being and healthy development.

Wider Impact

Beyond direct workshops, the project also raises public awareness about the importance of teaching children their fundamental rights. Essentially, it is fostering a community that support and protects children.

It supports the global call to:

• End violence against women and girls (Sustainable Development Goal 5).
• Achieve Target 5.2: eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, including trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Collaboration and Growth

The collaboration between SI Malaka and SI Bangsar has allowed the initiative to expand its reach across Melaka. Initially conducted in English, the workshops are now also delivered in Chinese to better serve the Chinese speaking community.

To build sustainability, SI Bangsar conducted the first virtual Training of Trainers on 17 March 2024. In total 27 participants attended, including nine SI Melaka members.  The objective of the training of trainers was to introduce the contents of the initiative to the members of Melaka to enable them to become programme facilitators. With additional facilitators this programme can reach more young children.

Expanding the Reach: 2024 Workshops

In 2024, SI Melaka actively promoted the Personal Safety initiative to local schools, conducting a series of three impactful workshops:

• Pilot Workshop – August 2024
  The first workshop served as a practical training session for SI Melaka members. It was attended by 21 children aged 6 to 8, with 10 parents and seven teachers joining as observers.
• Second Workshop – September 2024
  Supported by SI Bangsar, this session reached 80 primary school students aged 10 to 12. The workshop was facilitated by SI Melaka members and volunteer helpers, providing interactive learning experiences for all participants.
• Third Workshop – November 2024
  The final workshop of the year engaged 58 students aged 8 to 12, accompanied by 10 teachers. This session continued to strengthen students’ knowledge and confidence in personal safety.

Through these workshops, SI Melaka extended its impact, reaching children, teachers and parents and fostering a safer, more informed community.

A post workshop survey revealed that 83.3 per cent of teacher and parent participants said they would recommend this workshop to others.

More workshops are planned to expand the project’s reach and ensure that every child grows up with the knowledge that they are safe, valued and heard.

By providing these essential skills, the initiative not only protects girls from harm but also empowers them to value themselves, respect their boundaries and grow up with confidence.

Through this programme, SI Melaka demonstrates that educating girls is about more than just learning, it is giving them the tools to live safely, thrive fully and build a brighter future.