The government has approved a three-year initiative titled “Basic Self-Defence Training for Youths” to equip young men and women with essential self-defence skills aimed at boosting confidence, discipline and the ability to handle unsafe situations.
According to project documents, the Ministry of Youth and Sports will implement the programme through the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) at an estimated cost of Tk27.82 crore, fully funded by the government. The project is scheduled to run from September 2025 to February 2028.
The Planning Ministry granted final approval on 13 October 2025 following a review by the Project Evaluation Committee.
Training will take place at BKSP’s main Savar centre and its regional facilities in Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal and Sylhet. Participants from Rajshahi and Mymensingh divisions will train at the Dhaka or Dinajpur centres. Youths from all 64 districts will be covered under the programme.
A total of 8,850 participants—8,250 young men and 600 young women—will receive basic self-defence instruction during the project period. The initiative has been included in the FY2025–26 Annual Development Programme (ADP) as an unapproved project awaiting execution.
The core objective is to enhance the physical and mental capacity of youths by teaching practical techniques that raise self-confidence, discipline and resilience, enabling them to respond effectively to threatening situations.
Officials said the project will help nurture a more confident and health-conscious young generation. Sports Ministry officials noted that self-defence training contributes not only to personal safety but also to physical fitness, mental alertness, discipline and civic responsibility—benefits particularly significant for young women who face higher risks of harassment and violence.
By introducing structured training at BKSP and its regional centres, the government aims to make self-defence an accessible life skill for youth across all backgrounds and regions.
Budget allocations include Tk16.51 crore for training activities, T 7.08 crore for sports and training equipment, and Tk2.17 crore for furniture. Additionally, Tk67.22 lakh has been allocated for renovating trainee dormitories, Tk 44.03 lakh for machinery and tools, and Tk 42.45 lakh for vehicle hire.
Youth and Sports Ministry officials said the initiative is expected to leave a lasting impact by empowering participants with practical skills, promoting gender equality and helping build a generation that is physically capable and mentally prepared for challenging situations.
