In a groundbreaking move, Red Brigade Lucknow, a prominent not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and girls, is leading a compelling campaign to make self-defense a mandatory component of the Human Rights framework. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Secretary-General UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls campaign, emphasizing the urgent need for a global shift in addressing gender-based violence.

The 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, initiated by Red Brigade Lucknow, kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concludes on 10 December, Human Rights Day. This symbolic timeframe underscores the organization's stance that violence against women is a pervasive violation of human rights on a global scale.

This year, Red Brigade Lucknow is focusing its efforts on the campaign theme, "UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls," with a specific call to mandate self-defense under the Human Rights framework. Recognizing the escalating levels of violence against women in various settings, including the workplace and online spaces, the organization contends that self-defense is a crucial element in the fight against this global pandemic affecting 1 in 3 women in their lifetime.

As the roles and responsibilities of women continue to increase globally, so does the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence. Red Brigade Lucknow firmly believes that a fearless and active society is only possible when women are equipped with the tools to defend themselves. The organization asserts that self-defense is not merely a set of techniques but a state of mind, emphasizing the belief that every woman is worth defending.

Over the last decade and a half, Red Brigade Lucknow has garnered recognition from national and international entities, including the Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The organization has tirelessly worked on various programs and initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls, with a notable focus on preventing sexual and gender-based violence.

In the last five years alone, Red Brigade Lucknow has trained over 200,000 girls and young women in self-defense and provided support to more than 1,000 sexual violence victims through legal, medical, counseling, and educational interventions. Research studies conducted by the organization indicate a significant 11% reduction in crimes against women due to self-defense training, further validating the effectiveness of this approach.

Red Brigade Lucknow is now advocating for the integration of self-defense into school curricula, making it a mandatory practice across sectors and organizations. By appealing for the inclusion of self-defense as a mandate under the Human Rights framework, the organization aims to make this crucial skill accessible to every girl and woman, ensuring they possess the skills to combat assault independently.

As part of the 16 days of activism, Red Brigade Lucknow urges individuals and organizations alike to join hands in making self-defense a human right. The organization calls for increased investment in research and development, the emergence of more self-defense trainers, and the allocation of resources to support this common goal. Red Brigade Lucknow's resolute stance is clear – self-defense is not an option; it must become a priority to ensure a safer and more empowered world for girls and women.