Self-defense for female journalists: training at Zaporizhzhia JSC

How can female journalists protect themselves in critical situations? It was the topic of a self-defense training organized for girls and women media workers by the Zaporizhzhia joint-stock company (JSC) of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU). It was conducted at the sports location of the Kharkiv regional youth organization, Enlightening Initiative, by experienced coach Maryna Pliuiko.

The female journalists learned about situations in which women most often become victims of attackers, using their own stories as an example when they found themselves in quite dangerous situations, told how they managed to protect themselves, listened to the coach’s advice – quite simple, but effective and efficient.

A person whom a third party is abusing does not always have to rely on the help of others. Sometimes, these others are simply not around, and often, they do not respond to requests for help. So, all that remains is to rely only on themselves. And in such cases, self-defense or self-defense skills will come in handy.

How to avoid danger and protect yourself if the attacker has already shown aggression? Self-defense is a natural reaction to threats and danger. According to Maryna Pliuiko, everyone has their way, which depends on the situation.

What can be done:

• if you hear quick steps behind you, you should find out whether there is danger.
• if you suspect something is wrong, change your trajectory abruptly. The attacker may abandon his intentions if the actions of his chosen victim are unexpected for him.

During the practical session, the coach demonstrated several self-defense techniques to the journalists. She also advised them to be confident, quickly analyze a dangerous situation, look for ways out of it, and not lose hope for rescue.

Call the Zaporizhzhia JSC at 096 277 5352 (Nataliya Kuzmenko and Valentyna Manzhura, the Zaporizhzhia JSC coordinators). The Center is located at 152 Sobornyi Avenue.

ABOUT JSC

The Journalists’ Solidarity Centers is an initiative of the NUJU implemented with the support of the International and European Federations of Journalists and UNESCO. The initiative is designated to help media representatives working in Ukraine during the war. The Centers operate in Kyiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro and provide journalists with organizational, technical, legal, psychological, and other types of assistance.

ABOUT UNESCO

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication, and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding. It is the coordinator of the UN Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which aims to create a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers, thus strengthening peace, democracy, and sustainable development worldwide. UNESCO is working closely with its partner organizations in Ukraine to provide support to journalists on the ground.

The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this digest do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area or its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

The authors are responsible for the choice and the presentation of the facts contained in this digest and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit to the organization.

Nina Derkach, Nataliya Lisechko

Photo by Dariya Zyrianova