Mount Equips Girls in Self Defence with ‘Power for Women’ Workshop
Three members of ‘Power for Women’ self-defence team ran two hands-on sessions in school to provide our Year 7 – 10 girls with skills to use their own centre of gravity to take part in sports safely and protect themselves from harm. Thanks to York Council for funding these sessions in schools.
Hafiz Younis (former Metropolitan Police Sports Coach and bodyguard to celebrities and royalty) said: “Girls often stop sport for various reasons in their teenage years. We’re here to give them confidence in the things their bodies can already do and celebrate self-efficacy. Research shows that either running away – one effective form of self defence – or pushing back safely (with the heel of the palm) reduces assaults by 40%.” Hafiz has also written a book Introducing Women’s Self Defence.
Hafiz, Naveed and Rahilla Younis modelled safe stances for balance in stressful situations, demonstrated which parts of the body to push most effectively to topple an attacker and how to use the heel of the palm as proactive protection when under threat. Pupils worked in pairs and threes to practise these simple but effective moves.
Director of Sport, Fiona Newman, said: “Thank you to the team for this essential hands-on workshop which has not only given our girls confidence in terms of sport and fitness, but also tips to keep themselves safe. We wish that workshops like this weren’t needed but we are proud to equip our girls to think ahead and have strategies for stressful situations.”
Rahilla Younis said: “As the co-founder of Power For Women, I am deeply ingrained in this movement and proud to contribute to a cause that I believe in so passionately. I am on a mission to ensure that every woman and girl knows how to defend themselves. Together, we can create a mindset and skillset that will empower us to live safer, more empowered lives.”
More details at: www.power-for-women.org