Empowering Women Through Self-Defense: Breaking Barriers and Building Confidence

In a global environment, in which threat is perceived on higher level than security guaranteed, self-defense is one of the essential skills women have to learn in order to gain back their power and confidence. The issue of women empowerment through self-defense is not limited to protection from physical harm. Their aim is to nurture a sense of self-reliance and self-worth in women and to seek to change the perceptions of women in society. This is what fuels the impetus of YTDS’s #HitWhereItHurts campaign, which is geared towards helping women learn how to live in the world - with skills, confidence, and awareness. Protecting women creates a ripple effect of change that begins with families, expands to communities and eventually transforms the entire society.

The Urgent Need for Women's Self-Defense

The truth is all too evident: violence against women is still rife all over the world including society in India. The National Crime Records Bureau reports that ‘crimes against women are on the rise’ which is often disturbing as it has become frequent with cases of psychological harassment, domestic abuse, and assaults. A worldwide survey suggests that 1 in every 3 women has suffered either physical or sexual violence during their life. All these figures showcase the importance of women self-defence classes as a way of reducing such violence so that women can remain comfortable enough in their neighborhoods, workplaces, or even their own homes.

How #HitWhereItHurts Empowers Women

The #HitWhereItHurts campaign launched by YTDS goes beyond being a mere self-defense course; rather, it is a global movement that seeks to engage women irrespective of their social, cultural, and economic levels. This campaign promotes the teaching of self-defense to all women of different age brackets through a number of workshops, training programs, and outreach activities in general. These workshops do not only teach how to fight; they also involve mental preparation, stating one’s position and getting aware of the environment one is in.

The participants are taught how to assess risks, listen to their inner voice and act wisely when faced with a threat. Such a strategy is aimed at providing women with full battle readiness — active and passive physical control of the environment as well as psychological preparedness to overcome difficulties. It is these skills that #HitWhereItHurts seeks to change the women’s attitude towards their private space and self-defense.

Building Confidence and Self-Esteem Through Self-Defense

Self-defense training is perhaps one of the most beneficial aspects for women in training. The sheer know-how that one can defend herself is quite powerful especially for those who have lived their lives feeling empty. The physical training assists in enhancing fitness levels among many, but it is the emotional fortitude that tends to be more profound.

YTDS participants often come back with remarkable accounts reflecting a huge boost in synecdoche. To give an example, Neha, one of the trainees, demonstrated how the programme prepared her for applying for a job with night shifts, as she started feeling confident enough in her abilities to fend off threats. Similarly, another participant, Priya, told how she managed to break with an abusive partner as she knew, that she could defend herself if there was such a need. These accounts show that self-defense is not simply fighting back - it is the ability to manage one’s life and destiny.

Breaking the Cycle of Fear

Such societal attitudes and gender based violence have caused most women to live in fear. This fear curtails women’s independent tendencies by stopping them from taking chances, going out alone or living without worries. The campaign #HitWhereItHurts seeks to eradicate such a culture by availing women the means for self-defense which in turn lessens their feeling of vulnerability.

There is many more women’s self defense education than simply learning how to defend oneself. It is about power strategy. It is saying to a woman: “You are not a victim; you are capable of fending for yourself.” There are very practical emotional and mental benefits which boosts women’s self-worth on all fronts of their lives. Such mechanisms help in breaking certain barriers which help the woman in her social enhancement.

The Importance of Community Involvement

Empowering women through self-defense is more than something self-minded; it’s a work for the community. #HitWhereItHurts works in mobilizing women along with their families,

and even men who are in support of the cause. They connect women with each other and help create an environment in which women feel they can learn, grow, and empower each other.

Without Local mentors, volunteers, and community leaders, the campaign would be impossible. The campaign is participatory so that women from all strata of society are able to access and utilize the materials available for their safety.

Integrating Self-Defense into Daily Life

Understanding self defense is not only the techniques and tactics that can be acquired within the class; it is an attitude that one can bring to their everyday existence. There are simple yet very useful practices which women can fit into their normal schedules such as being cautious, relying on their instincts and readiness to apply sex violence self defense techniques when the occasion requires.

A few constructive suggestions:

• Stay Aware: It is good to keep your phone within reach but do not get distracted, especially if you are in isolated areas. Avoid walking and using the phone at the same time.


• Trust your instincts: Before a person can even think of any reasons, he or she knows that something is not right. This feeling is usually there for a reason.


• Speak out: There will be times when being assertive can aid in averting threats. If you feel that your safety is compromised, don’t hesitate to express it.


• Ongoing practice: As all martial arts self defense, this one is acquired with practice and is sustainable if some in-between practice is done. Once you learn it, do not let it go to waste.

Collaborations with Schools, Corporations, and NGOs

YTDS’s #HitWhereItHurts campaign goes beyond conducting individual training sessions, it involves schools, colleges, corporations and other NGOs. This initiative is the extension of the campaigns in the educational and corporate institutions which aim to benefit young girls, employed women and other at-risk groups. The campaign delivers self-defense in the form of workshops, seminars and corporate training, focusing how to keep oneself safe in various scenarios.

These partnerships have been very helpful in ensuring that self-defense training is viewed as an essential skill for all, hence the availability of this training to more women. Self-defense training will not only be helpful in training of individuals without self-defense skills, but also in the enhancement of the safety of one's environment.

Call to Action

Women are strong, resilient and courageous. However, it is time for us to act. Support the #HitWhereItHurts campaign and you will help ameliorate the situation. Volunteering, donating, raising awareness or any other forms of support will help us reach more women and help them protect themselves wherever possible.

Help us in our aspiration to shatter any existing ceils and create a safe, warm and encouraging environment for all women. Register for our workshops, join us on the social networks and be a part of the good cause that is changing people’s lives. Let’s all work towards creating a safer environment for women all over the world.

Let’s hit where it hurts–time to wear down and dispel the fear, women who are afraid need to be educated and the society rendered safe for all.