“My name is Tamara Ruth Kaparu. I'm in grade 7 at Chibolya Primary School in Katete District. I'm 14 years old. Before I joined this program [No, Means No], I didn't know how to protect myself. When I was mocked for my look, I didn’t know what to do. I would just be quiet, and sometimes I cried when I sat alone,” Tamara explained.

Everything began to change when the DAPP Zambia through the Total Control of Epidemics – Orphans and Vulnerable Children (TCE-OVC) project introduced the No Means No program was introduced at my school. I joined the sessions and learned practical skills to protect myself.

20,065 girls benefited from the No Means No program in Senanga, Sesheke, and Kalabo (Western Province) and in Petauke and Katete (Eastern Province).

“Now I can protect myself. I have the confidence to defend myself. I have been taught the fighting skills. When somebody is harassing or mistreating me, I can use my voice. I have the courage to defend myself. I can yell to say, ‘No, stop!’ If someone touches me in a way I don’t want, I can say, ‘Stop what you are doing.’ If he doesn’t stop, I know I can report to my parents, teachers, or GBV services,” she said.

Through the program, Tamara also learned that her body is strong and full of natural defenses. 

“We can use our forehead, our knees, our legs, even our ‘pinky pull’ (Back pulling small finger), to protect ourselves. Our safety goal is to get away from the attacker,” she shared.

Today, Tamara added, I am feeling good because now I can protect myself.

Tamara’s courage also comes with a message for other girls:
“Dear girls , I encourage you please, when someone is harassing you, don’t just be quiet. You can yell. You can say NO. Don’t just be quiet. It doesn’t matter even if it’s your uncle, your father, or your brother. You must protect yourself.”

The Zambia Police Service through the Victim Support Unit (VSU)’s Gender-Based Violence (GBV) statistics for the Second Quarter of 2025 showed that 2,546 children (25%) were victims forms of GBV ranging from in Zambia in that quarter.