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WHDL - 00020171

Essential Elements for Effective Self-Defense Education for Migrant and Displaced Women

McKenna Smith

Resource Types

Academic (Thesis, Dissertation, Etc.)

Resource Languages

English

Institutional Repository

Description / Abstract

This project was designed to teach self-defense classes to refugee and asylum seeking women and found some important factors to consider when designing self-defense programs. It began by partnering with the Women’s Resilience Center, a department within the International Rescue Committee in the San Diego office, to host classes with clients that are already receiving services from them. The model and design of the classes were inspired by existing organizations that provide self-defense or martial arts to similar communities of women. After offering five weeks of self-defense classes, what became clear was that the broad elements of community, comfortability, and accessibility were essential to making sure the women could attend and participate in the classes. These elements made the self-defense program feasible, effective, and culturally responsive.