By Michelle Pereira for BIS Mumbai

Recognizing the need for personal safety and self-defence, Don Bosco Nerul organized a Self Defence Workshop on September 19, 2024, for around sixty women. The participants included women from the migrant communities of Navi Mumbai and Mumbai, the trainers, volunteers who work in the community and staff of DBA. 

The workshop was led by Mr Neeraj Nanda, a certified corporate trainer in self-defence techniques, and was conducted in collaboration with Ms Seena Verghese, the President of the Lyness Club of Ulwe. Around 60 women attended the program, highlighting the growing awareness and willingness of women to learn how to safeguard themselves. 

During the session, Mr Nanda highlighted a key principle: “No one has the right to touch you without reason and your permission.” He addressed the societal fear many women have of speaking up when faced with inappropriate behaviour, stressing that the fear of getting caught often resides more with the perpetrator. Many attackers derive a sense of joy from harassing others, or they act out behaviours they’ve seen online. By understanding this mindset, women can empower themselves to act confidently when faced with such situations.

Mr Nanda also spoke about how social etiquette and anxiety sometimes act against the woman who feels targeted. Managing social etiquette and anxiety, especially during stressful times, can be challenging for many women. Stress often heightens the need for proper social behavior while also increasing anxiety, making it harder to maintain calm and composure. He stressed the need to acknowledge that the feeling of anxiety is normal in a stressful situation. He placed importance on the practice of mindfulness to observe that anxiety is not controlling your responses. Deep breathing in such a situation helps relax the tension in your muscles. Positively affirm that you can get out of the situation unharmed. Seek support during and after the incident. Incorporating relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation in your daily routine helps you stay calm and face stress and anxiety successfully. 

Mr. Nanda's demonstrations focused on practical self-defence techniques that women can use when caught off guard. He explained the significance of knowing the pressure points on the human body, showing how targeting the right areas can incapacitate an attacker or distract them long enough to escape. Techniques included various punches, blocks, and movements designed to put an attacker off balance and create opportunities for the victim to run or defend themselves effectively.

Workshops like these emphasize the importance of women taking control of their safety. With the right training, women can confront dangerous situations with confidence, reducing the chances of being victimized. Self-defence is not just about physical strength but about mental preparedness and the belief that every woman has the right to feel and be safe.