Self Defence for 1000 young girls in Nagpur, India

Voice volume is a crucial element of effective communication, influencing how we are perceived, how well we are understood, and the emotional impact of our message. The Prabodhini project empowers trainees to consciously use their voice volume as a tool for effective communication, particularly in self-defense.

Radha, a teenager from Nagpur, shares her powerful story of how Prabodhini helped her find her voice and defend herself:

"In my neighborhood, there was an older man who would stare at me and make inappropriate gestures whenever I passed by. One day, he even tried to grab me. I learned from my friends that he was doing the same thing to other girls. We were all terrified, but no one dared to confront him. I was so scared to go out, even to go to school.

Thankfully, I joined the Prabodhini Self-Defense Training. It taught me how to protect myself – physically, verbally, and mentally. I discovered the incredible power of using my voice, but also realized that it takes courage and self-confidence to speak up. The Prabodhini trainers helped us uncover our inner strength through role-playing, discussions, and by teaching us physical self-defense techniques. Learning these techniques gave me the confidence to know I could defend myself if needed.

The next time the man harassed me, I didn't stay silent. I shouted at him, 'You always look at me inappropriately! You're bothering many girls here! I'm going to tell my parents and the police!' My loud voice alerted neighbors, who came to help. My parents also warned him. He hasn't bothered me or any other girl since.

Through Prabodhini, I learned about the different forms of violence we face in society and how to fight back. I am incredibly grateful for the Prabodhini project. They helped me change my life!"