EmpowerHer: Inclusive Self-Defense for Women of All
Abilities
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Description
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In the wake of the increasing incidents of violence against women in Cyprus and international research reports according to which women with disabilities becomes victims of violence twice as often as other women, the project "EmpowerHer: Inclusive Self-Defense for Women of All Abilities" seeks to jointly empower women with and without disabilities through comprehensive training in adapted self-defense techniques, which will enable them to enhance their confidence, resilience and proactive approach towards their personal safety.
Objectives
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The project has set out the following objectives:
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Development and implementation of an inclusive self-defence programme for women, adapted to the needs of different groups of women with disabilities (e.g. visual impairment, physical impairment, mental disability) under the guidance of a female trainer;
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Acquisition of skills and competences (e.g. self-confidence, physical techniques) by the participants enabling them to respond effectively to incidents of violence;
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Raising awareness about disability through joint participation of women with and without disabilities in self-defence workshops;
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Raising awareness and information on gender-based violence and reporting mechanisms;
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Breaking down stereotypes and prejudices around disability
Activities
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The project involves the organisation of adaptive self-defence training lessons for women with and without disabilities. The lessons will include but are not limited to: understanding self-defence, understanding disability, self-defence techniques, mental preparation, role-playing games. In each lesson, participants will be confronted with a new scenario (e.g. street
harassment, stalking in a public place, physical violence in dating) with the aim of acquiring the appropriate skills that will allow them to avoid such incidents in their daily lives.
Dissemination
