Learning to speak up: how self-defense education is changing classrooms in Albania

Lirie Shaqiri is no longer doing any classroom teaching, but she hasn’t stopped helping others find their voice and set boundaries.

She now shares self-defense techniques with women in her neighborhood as well as her friends. “They tell me: bring this into the schools as much as possible, so our children don’t grow up like we did,” she says.

A retired physical education teacher, she was among the first educators in Albania to train in Empowerment through Self-Defense (ESD), a methodology she continues to practice every day.

In schools across Albania, students are learning how to speak up, set boundaries and respond to challenging situations with confidence.

Through the Empowerment through Self-Defense (ESD) methodology, implemented in public schools nationwide in the past five years, young people are gaining practical skills to navigate adverse situations in everyday life: from bullying and peer pressure to more serious risks, while at the same time building respect for themselves and others.

“Conflict is a natural part of life, we cannot avoid it, but we can learn how to deal with it,” highlighted Michele Ribotta, UN Women Representative. “What we must challenge is the idea that conflict and violence go hand in hand. This is where ESD plays a crucial role.”

Since its introduction, ESD has expanded significantly across Albania. Between 2021 and 2025, the methodology was implemented in 82 public schools, reaching 3,637 children and young people through ESD Clubs, while more than 8,300 individuals have been trained. At the heart of this expansion are ESD Clubs – safe, interactive spaces where students learn practical skills such as recognizing risk, setting boundaries, and asking for help.

“By equipping educators with these tools, we have moved beyond simple awareness-raising to see profound, real-world success,” said Gentiana Susaj, founder and director of ESD Albania and ESD Europe. “From youngsters finding the confidence to stand up to bullying, to survivors using these skills to navigate life-threatening conflicts and prevent sexual violence.”

Over the years, including during exchanges with teachers at dedicated events, students have openly shared personal experiences of harassment and situations that made them feel unsafe. They highlight how ESD skills are applied in real life: enabling girls to recognize risk, respond more assertively, de-escalate situations, and in some cases avoid or safely exit potentially dangerous encounters. Importantly, they also feel more able to seek support and ask for help when needed. Together, these experiences point to a significant increase in students’ confidence and sense of control over their own safety.

Teachers play a central role in translating ESD into everyday practice. For many, the methodology also reshapes how they approach teaching and support their students.