Effectiveness of an empowerment-based self-defense program among South African girls: results from a cluster-randomized control trial in schools.

Empowerment-based self-defense (ESD) programs have proven effective in preventing sexual violence (SV) among girls in diverse settings, yet their effectiveness in South Africa remains unexplored. In this hybrid type 1 cluster-randomized controlled trial, we assessed the impact and implementation of the COVID-adapted 'No Means No' intervention, an ESD program to prevent SV among girls aged 10-19 in Gqeberha, South Africa. Fifteen schools were randomly assigned to one of three trial arms: an arm receiving intervention delivered to girls-only, one receiving interventions delivered to girls and boys seperately, or to serve as controls in a 1:1:1 ratio.