Self-Defense Trainer for Women (16 Days of Activism)

UNDP operates in over 170 countries and territories, working to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We support countries in developing strong policies, skills, partnerships, and institutions to help sustain their progress.

The UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (RBEC) operates through its Istanbul Regional Hub and works in close collaboration with 18 Country Offices across Europe and Central Asia.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and continues until 10 December, Human Rights Day. Each year, the UNITE Campaign adopts a specific theme to raise awareness and mobilize action. The campaign calls on individuals and communities to demonstrate their commitment to ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to help create a world free from gender-based violence.

In this context, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in cooperation with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, has launched a Special Programme Initiative (SPI) aimed at engaging UN Volunteers to support UNDP’s activities during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign in Istanbul, Türkiye. The selected UN Community Volunteers will support the UNDP Türkiye Country Office in the following areas:

Awareness, Advocacy and Outreach:
- Support UNDP in organizing and delivering self-defense sessions as part of the Women’s Security Awareness Training and activities conducted throughout the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
- Assist in outreach and engagement with participants to promote the campaign’s key messages and objectives.

Under the direct supervision of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) Security Associate, the UN Community Volunteer will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Develop and deliver an interactive and practical self-defense training session tailored specifically for women, in line with the objectives of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
- Design and adapt training materials that incorporate awareness, prevention, and basic self-protection techniques, ensuring accessibility and relevance for all participants.
- Demonstrate safe and effective physical defense strategies, suitable for participants with diverse levels of physical ability and experience.
- Promote confidence-building, situational awareness, and personal safety, empowering participants to respond appropriately to potential risks.
- Facilitate hands-on practice sessions, ensuring a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment at all times.
- Uphold principles of respect, inclusion, and empowerment, ensuring that all participants feel valued and protected throughout the sessions.
- Act as a Self-Defense Trainer for Women during the Women's Security Awareness Training (WSAT), to be held in the office on Monday, 1 December 2025.
- Conduct approximately one Self-Defense session per week (a total of three sessions) during the UNV contract period, focused on women’s security awareness. Upon request, one to three additional sessions may be organized for the children of UNDP personnel.