Lots of important updates today…I need your help!
- First and foremost, thank you once again for your support. We have just surpassed 10,000 signatures in a week and the following announcements wouldn’t have been possible without your signature. Thank you.
- You are now able to register for the Free Two Hour Self Defense Online Session on Sun 7th Feb @ 14:00-16:00. Places are limited to 100 due to Zoom capacity…more details below!
- I need your help! I have been invited in to speak with Nawal Ben Hamou, Secretary of State responsible for Housing and Equal opportunities in Brussels on Thursday. I want to be representing the opinions and experiences of all women of Brussels, so if you have any stories and/or suggestions for the petition’s propositions, I’d love to hear them below in the comments.
- I was asked, and just finished, sending a letter to the President of the Parliament of Brussels. The idea is for this topic to be debated in the chamber since this petition very clearly highlights, with 10,000+ signatures, an issue that is close to the heart of many people. More news on that soon.
- There has also been some very good news regarding citizen participation in Brussels. Last week, we understood that we needed 5000 signatures to reach Brussels Parliament debate. However, since July 2020 that number has actually been reduced to 1000. With a little push, you too can voice your concern and seek to make a change to your local area.
Speak soon,
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SELF-DEFENSE SESSION INFORMATION:
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvceiqrDkpGNGE80gs3J8O-BDh3FgJ14aB
Description course:
A two hour self defense session that covers basic principles and techniques for effective self defense. In this session we will discuss basic principles and practice some techniques that may help us prevent and/or defend ourselves from an assault on the street. Amongst others, we will cover:
- basic principles of situational awareness and stress management
- verbal strategies
- fighting principles and physical techniques for self defense
Anyone may participate, regardless of age, gender, body type, disabilities or fitness level. Self Defense is for everyone. If you wish to actively participate in the activities, it could be helpful to wear comfortable shoes and warn your housemates and neighbors that you might make some noise :)
Description Nina:
I am a Civil Krav Maga- and Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) instructor, with many passions. Originally from the Netherlands, I moved to Belgium in 2014 to study politics and never left. I started practicing self defense in 2013, and have been teaching since 2017.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nina.wennink
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-wennink-0b7a1b45/
Currently, I:
1. Co-run my own company - PMR Empowerment - in which we offer different training and workshops combining Self Defense and Non-Violent Communication for personal development and wellbeing.
Website: www.pmr-empowerment.com (currently being revised - back live within the next few days)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irisnina.wennink
2. Co-run and teach at my own Krav Maga club in Brussels
Website: https://kravmagabrussels.be/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smartkravmagabxl
3. Work part-time for an organisation called ESD Global, which aims to actively implement Empowerment Self Defense as a key violence prevention strategy all over the world.
Website: https://www.esdglobalselfdefense.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esdglobalselfdefense/ & https://www.facebook.com/esdglobaleurope
Krav Maga & Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) in a nutshell:
Krav Maga is considered a realistic self defense system. Once developed by the Israelian military army, it has now been adapted as a self defense system for civilians against mainly, but not limited to, street attacks.
ESD is an evidence-based, violence prevention system for women and other target groups, and originated from a movement called Feminist Self Defense in the 60's in the USA. It's approach is different from most self defense systems as it has been developed by women (think about it - most martial arts and self defense systems have been developed by men being attacked by other men), is trauma-informed, and departs from the fact that most violence happens within circles close to us by people we know. This changes the context in which violence happens. ESD covers a more holistic approach for emotional AND physical safety.