7 Simple Reasons for Women’s Self-Defense

Violence against women is a serious and widespread issue in Australia, as well as throughout the world. And while the long term goal is education to stop violence against women, there are actionable strategies women can employ, right now. So here are our 7 very simple reasons you should consider taking a women’s self defense class.

1 – Don’t Become a Statistic

Frankly, the statistics in Australia alone are frightening. At least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner. 1 in 3 women has experience physical violence. 300,000 women a year experience physical or sexual violence from a stranger. Violence against women contributes to more death, disability and illness to women between 15 and 44 than any other preventable risk factor. Learning self-defense gives you the power to avoid becoming one of these statistics, now.

2 – Prevention and Awareness

It is alarming how, as we become adults, we are become closed off. Children and animals “check their six” freely and often. But as teens and adults we become increasingly fixated on the front and our devices. You work with an experienced instructor to develop strategies that work best for you against a variety of opponents, attacks and situations. But above all women’s self defense teaches us awareness and prevention.

3 – Take Control for Yourself and Other Women

Women’s self defense is about taking safety into our own hands. There are some who argue that taking self-defense classes is admitting defeat. However, it is better seen as a refusal to be held back. Self defense is our chance to take action in our own lives, to take control of our own present and future. The fact is, crimes against women happen. Women’s self defense can prevent us becoming chosen victims. Knowing how to defend ourselves gives us a better chance of stopping attacks and even lessening attacks against women in the future.

4 – Great Exercise!

Self defense is, at the end of the day, a great source of exercise. And it exercises a range of vital parts of your body. It not only exercises your body physically, it also exercises your mind, reactions and reflexes. But it is also an incredible way of exercising your own power and confidence. You do not have to be physically strong to be successful at self-defense. If you can learn to successfully escape or prevent a dangerous situation, then you are exercising good self-defense.

5 – Be Accountable

As women, we are constantly encouraged to be accountable for ourselves. We are told to be accountable for our finances. We are told to account for our stress. We are encouraged to be accountable for our health and are told to be accountable for our weight and diet. We are accountable for our workouts and fitness. So it stands to reason that we should be accountable for our self defense. Is it really so hard to add a self defense class to our routine as we would add the latest yoga, pilates or work out fad? However, unlike a fad, this is something that will actually make a monumental, positive change to our lives.

6 – Be Feminine

There is a terrible misconception – unfortunately perpetuated by mass media icons like Cosmo – that self defense is unfeminine and unattractive. These dangerous articles claim that women who pursue self defense are masculine, “jacked up” and have a distasteful love for weapons. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, many models, actresses and even pageant winners are devotees of women’s self defense. Women’s self defense is incredibly feminine because it is empowering. Encouraging women to take self defense is a beautiful, inspiring thing. So ignore the dangerous misconceptions of mainstream media and enjoy learning self defense.

7 – Do Something Now

Of course we need better education to end violence against women and men. Violence of all kinds is unacceptable. Unfortunately, though, education is long term and may not be able to help you today, tomorrow or even next year. That is why women’s self defense education is important. This is something that can happen now. Women’s self defense provides functional strategies, techniques and training methods to stop an attacker intent on hurting you. It gives you the security and confidence, right now, that you can protect yourself should the need arise. Unfortunately, no matter how well intended, ideologies can’t do that. So until education catches up with reality, keep yourselves safe. Invest in women’s self defense today.

Contact GFI to find out more about our women’s self defense classes and courses. You may consider taking up a structured martial arts class such as Taekwondo, Jiujitsu, Karate or combat sports such as kickboxing, boxing or MMA. Likewise, many providers offer personal training or group sessions / courses for you and and friends or work colleagues.