Imagine a world where every girl had the confidence and courage to walk alone, where every woman didn't need to change her routine based on another statistic, where our daughters, sisters, and friends could not only feel safe but also get home safe. 

Violence against women is an ever-occurring subject that’s been ingrained into every woman since she was a little girl. This has taught girls growing up to become more fearful than their male counterparts.

Since all previous attempts at solving violence against women have been either unsuccessful or financially inaccessible to all women and girls, we must take a unique approach to finally addressing this issue once and for all.

The argument has been made to “teach boys not to rape”, however, we cannot rely on the solution to come from the source of the problem. To create a world where girls and women are safe -- we must make this our top priority. Namely by incorporating girls and young women’s self-defense as mandatory education in the public school system. 

I founded Jane Academy because as a woman I have lived this truth my entire life. I have personally seen the benefits that self-defense offers; which is to boost safety, self-esteem, and mental health. 

Statistically,

1 in 3 women globally experience violence, and the World Health Organization claims “Younger women are among those most at risk.”

Locally, three unprovoked assaults against women were reported in less than one week in Metro Vancouver.

We are sick and tired of living in a world where our daughters, sisters, mothers, friends, and family members must live as second-class citizens. Having their independence continuously taken away. 

We say no more.

Jane Academy is a non-profit that would provide mandatory self-defence classes as part of the PE curriculum, this would be taught by trained women martial artists, military personnel, and officers. Researching the best fighting styles, we have discovered incorporating:

• Brazil Jiu-Jitsu: The reason is that BJJ focuses on weight distribution and ground techniques; meaning having a bigger body size doesn’t mean you have the advantage. This is a style that prepares the user for any attack and teaches defence even from the ground.
   
• Krav Maga: An Israel military developed style, Krav Maga focuses on real-world situations, so it can really help when you need to employ some self-defence. Krav Maga is the ultimate self-defence training that teaches eye gouging, groin kicking, and throat striking. Anything and everything to help neutralize your attacker and get you to safety. 
   
• Running and breathing techniques: It's very important to incorporate breathing techniques as well as running endurance. These are crucial parts of handling a high stress situation and can train girls and young women to get away as quickly as possible.

 
The physical health curriculum from grade six to twelve covers physical literacy, healthy and active living, social and community health, and mental well-being. But from a closer look gives students the tools to be active, but not the discipline nor the ability to practise self-defence.

In conclusion, we propose that self-defense be incorporated into the public-school curriculum as a part of the physical education program for all girls and young women grades 6-12. 

Though we do not live in a perfect world where we can prevent every attack; imagine a world where almost every girl and young woman can easily defend herself, help defend another woman from being attacked, or has the tools to escape and save herself.

Please sign the petition to support Jane Academy coming to life. With your help we can all make some noise and present this idea to the school boards and ministry of education here in BC.

Also, we are creating a board of directors; if you or anyone you know is interested in the following positions, please send a letter of intent to:

janeacademymission@outlook.com

Creative Director
Communications Manager
Logistics Manager
Finance Officer
Lead Photographer
Lead Editor

Let's make a better and brighter future for all girls and young women!

With gratitude,

Jane Academy