TBT REPORT

At United Public School and College in Jamalpur, the international-standard 6-module (90 minutes each) lesson-plan course by The Economist Educational Foundation began in classroom. Through this program, students learned and planned how to bring the winds of leadership and change into society and collective thinking. What started as a small project — “Empowering Safety for Girls” — has today transformed into an inspiring movement that is awakening confidence and leadership among girls.

This project has recently been awarded the prestigious Leadership for Change Prize 2024, presented by The Economist Educational Foundation and Rolex.

The project began with a simple yet powerful goal — to teach girls self-defense, raise awareness about personal safety, and build the courage to speak up for themselves. Through classroom workshops, awareness activities, storytelling, and karate training, students learned how to become confident and face real-life challenges with strength.

From thousands of projects submitted by 356 institutions across 23 countries on 6 continents, the team from United Public School and College was selected among the top entries for their creative and humanitarian initiative, where education and empowerment are closely connected. The winning team included students Jim and Sababa, guided by lecturer Safia Ansari (Department of English).

Student Sababa said, “At first I was very shy, and I didn’t believe in myself. But this project taught me that my voice matters. I can protect myself and others — speak up for the truth.”

Student Jim added, “This project taught me that courage doesn’t mean fighting — courage means standing firm against injustice. Karate isn’t just about combat; it is focus and discipline.”

Project coordinator and English lecturer Safia Ansari said, “The ‘Empowering Safety for Girls’ project is not only about self-defense training; it is a journey of building confidence, awareness, and leadership. My greatest joy is seeing how the girls have transformed this project into a true movement of consciousness.”

It began with 15 girls, then 30, and gradually 72 girls and 35 boys joined the karate training separately. Workshops on karate and the importance of self-defense were conducted for around 200 children at M.A. Rashid Memorial Academy. The team visited Jamalpur Karate Academy, Mymensingh, Sirajganj, and Dhaka, and eventually started their own karate club. They have successfully spread the message of awareness — today, “Empowering Safety for Girls” is not just a project; it is a movement spreading across schools and communities in Bangladesh with the message: “Every girl can be safe, confident, and unstoppable.”

Moreover, to support the advancement of this initiative and to celebrate its grand closing ceremony, the renowned UK-based company ‘The Takeaway Site’, a rapidly growing global enterprise, has come forward. We express our heartfelt gratitude to The Takeaway Site. Together, we aim to build a world where every girl can walk safely, grow stronger, and confidently lead the future.