You never really know how prepared (or unprepared) you are for a security threat until you find yourself in the middle of one.
At Education as a Vaccine (EVA), we’ve always known that safety and security matter, especially when working with rights holders and young women facing heightened risks due to their identities. But nothing quite prepared us for the wake-up call we received in 2024 during a safety and security training designed for the We Lead project. Let’s just say, it involved a staged kidnapping, a room full of overly trusting participants, and absolute chaos.
Trusting… To a Fault? The training started off just like any other. With conversations about risk assessment, digital security, movement tracking, and emergency preparedness. We were engaged, taking notes, nodding along.
Then, the test came. Two men walked into the training hall. They didn’t say a word. They didn’t rush in, waving weapons or making threats. They just walked in.
And we? We watched them.
Maybe it was because our facilitator had subtly conditioned us to dismiss potential threats, or maybe we were simply too trusting, but for a solid few seconds, no one reacted. Then, suddenly, it clicked: this wasn’t part of the plan.
Panic erupted. Chairs flew. People scattered. Some ran for the doors. Others hit the floor. Chaos. Pure chaos.
Only after the “kidnappers” were revealed to be part of the exercise did we realize the full impact of what had just happened. We had failed the test.
The Reality Check: Safety and Security Aren’t Optional. That staged scenario wasn’t just a drill, it was a mirror. It showed us how easily we overlook threats, how we second-guess our instincts, and how unprepared we truly were despite working in environments where risks are real.
For the We Lead project, which is designed to support young women from marginalized communities, women living with HIV, women with disabilities, displaced women, and all diversity, safety isn’t just an add-on. It’s a necessity. Rightsholders in our programs face unique security threats, from physical and online harassment to surveillance, movement restrictions, and even violence. That’s why security is embedded into every part of our programming.
The experience left us asking: How many other programs assume safety, rather than plan for it?
Security considerations should never be reactionary, they should be intentional, integrated, and proactive. Here’s what we took away from that day:
- Trust is good, but awareness is better. Over-trusting environments can leave us vulnerable. Programs must build a culture of healthy skepticism and preparedness.
- Emergency response is only as strong as its weakest link. If even one person panics, an entire group’s safety can be compromised. Security drills must be as practical as they are theoretical.
- Rightsholder groups need tailored safety protocols. Security risks aren’t the same for everyone. Programs must consider who is most vulnerable and what specific risks they face.
- Digital security is as important as physical security. Many rightsholders face threats online – doxxing, cyberstalking, and targeted attacks. Training must reflect modern risks alongside traditional ones.
- Facilitators and leaders must lead by example. The fact that our facilitator convinced us not to be alarmed proves how easily we can be conditioned to ignore risks. Program leaders must instill vigilance, not passivity.
At EVA, safety and security are no longer afterthoughts, they are fundamental to how we design and implement our programs. The We Lead project has set a precedent: if we are truly committed to supporting rightsholders, we must ensure they feel secure, empowered, and protected in every space they enter, physically and digitally.
So, the next time someone walks into a room unannounced?
We’ll be ready. Will you?