International Women’s Day: Turning Fear into Power
International Women’s Day is a time to honor the achievements of women, celebrate their strength, and push for greater equality. But beneath the festivities lies an uncomfortable truth: for many women, safety is not guaranteed. The reality of violence is woven into their everyday lives, from walking home at night to navigating public spaces.
That’s why self-defense is no longer just an option; it’s a necessity. Not a recreational activity or something “nice to have,” but a mandatory life skill. And yet, the fact that this skill is so crucial speaks volumes about the state of progress in our society.
A Celebration Grounded in Reality
The celebration of women should not shy away from the reality they face. Fear of violence is real, and it shapes how women move through the world. The idea that International Women’s Day often includes self-defense workshops highlights this harsh reality. It’s not about teaching women to fear more—it’s about giving them the tools to fear less.
The day should be about acknowledging these fears, not dismissing them, and empowering women to face them head-on. It’s about helping women transform fear into power, equipping them with the skills and confidence to take control of their safety and, by extension, their lives.
Self-Defense as a Path to Empowerment
Self-defense isn’t just about learning to block or strike. It’s about so much more:
- Awareness: Understanding surroundings and identifying threats before they escalate.
- Confidence: Knowing that you have the tools to protect yourself if needed.
- Mental Strength: Learning to stay calm and make decisions under pressure.
- Self-Worth: Realizing that you have the right to walk through the world without fear.
Teaching women self-defense is not about perpetuating the idea that violence is inevitable. It’s about giving them the power to confront that violence if it arises. It’s about making them feel like badasses—not because they have to fight, but because they know they can.
A Reflection on Progress
However, the fact that self-defense is still a necessary skill in 2025 should give us pause. It raises an important question: what kind of progress are we really celebrating if women are still required to prepare for violence?
International Women’s Day should be about more than equipping women to survive. It should be about challenging the structures, behaviors, and cultures that create the need for survival skills in the first place.
True progress will come when the celebration of women isn’t coupled with a reminder of the dangers they face. But until that day comes, empowering women with tools like self-defense is a critical step forward—not as a solution, but as a declaration of their right to live without fear.
The True Celebration
The heart of International Women’s Day should be this: acknowledging women’s fears, understanding their reality, and giving them the tools—not just to survive—but to thrive. It’s about celebrating women for their courage, their strength, and their ability to rise above challenges. It’s about making sure that every woman has the power to feel safe, strong, and unstoppable.
Yes, self-defense is mandatory. But the day is about so much more. It’s about celebrating the badass women who refuse to be defined by fear and about working toward a future where no woman ever has to.
Do something amazing,
Tsahi Shemesh
Founder & CEO
Krav Maga Experts