Physical Self Defense
"It appears that more girls have been killed in the last fifty years precisely because they were girls, than men were killed in all the wars of the 20th century." -Sheryl WuDunn, Nicholas Kristof
Research shows us that women aged 15-44 are more likely to be maimed or die from male violence than from cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war combined. Learning self defense not only helps set them up for success in the future, it also helps to rewrite traumatic situations that have already happened.
Our leaders meet with their groups on a weekly basis and go over basic, and fundamental self defense skills, a combination of Jiu Jitsu and Krav Maga, that are easily learned and replicated. Every week they repeat the moves they have learned and once it is retained as muscle memory, they go on to learn a new move which helps rebuild their confidence and makes them feel safer.
Deep in the bush, down only dirt roads, you'll find a sustainable safe house - more like a magical oasis- a safe haven for girls that have been rescued out of the most unthinkable situations. We are brought girls from our own village, as close as 100 yards away, but some of our girls are brought to us by the government from up to a two days drive away. I can only imagine the fear that they have felt in what they experienced, and then to leave- to not have any idea of where they are going, thinking, “Will it be better? Or worse? Will I be safe? Will there be others like me? Will I have food? Will I go to school?”
And then they arrive here, with us, and are given more love, more structure, more safety than they have ever been given. To say it is an honor for us would be an unbelievable understatement.
When they arrive they are given a sister- another girl who will show her the ropes, take her under her wing and make sure she feels included and knows the rhythm of the house. As the days turn into weeks and the weeks turn into months, her nervous system begins to unwind. You start to see less fear on her face and more gentle smiles; you begin to hear laughter and see her whole body relax. It takes time, but when it happens, it is the greatest feeling - I imagine for her- but even for me. Those little moments are the privilege of my life.
Personally, I have lost many comforts that exist only in the 1st world- but I have gained many things that I had lost by being so comfortable. And for that, I am forever grateful.
-Kelly Kelly, GWP Founder
Proactive. Verbal. Physical.
At The Graceful Warrior Project, we believe that everyone has a right to bodily autonomy. We teach our students how to protect themselves proactively- identifying safe and unsafe situations and people and how to get ahead of a bad situation. We then teach verbal self defense and how to deescalate a