Our Foundation delivered a weekend of WenDo workshops for members of the “Źródlanki” Rural Housewives’ Association (Koło Gospodyń Wiejskich). The event aimed to equip participants with practical tools for assertiveness, self-defence, and building self-confidence in their personal, professional, and social lives.
The Specific Approach of WenDo
WenDo is a method of violence prevention developed by women for women. Unlike traditional martial arts, it does not focus on physical aggression, but rather on the psychological and physical aspects of keeping oneself safe.
The workshops covered:
- Effective assertiveness: Recognising and clearly communicating personal boundaries in everyday situations.
- Nonviolent communication: Responding constructively when one’s psychological comfort or personal boundaries are violated.
- Physical self-defence: Practical techniques for dealing with situations involving an immediate threat to one’s health or life.
Objectives and Broader Impact
As an organisation, we created a safe and confidential space that enabled participants to overcome barriers rooted in fear and strengthen their sense of personal agency. Education on preventing gender-based violence directly contributes to greater participation by women in local community life and improves their safety.
We would like to thank all participants for their full engagement and openness throughout the intensive workshop exercises.
Cooperation and Expertise
Our Foundation has the expertise and organisational know-how required to plan and deliver safe assertiveness and self-defence training for women from diverse backgrounds. We invite institutions, local authorities, and non-governmental organisations interested in implementing similar educational programmes in their regions to collaborate with us.
