By Aaron Cordy
LAST year 78 women were killed due to domestic and gender-based violence in Australia. In just the first week of February 2025, five women have had their lives intentionally cut short by violence. 1 in 3 women has experienced physical violence and 1 in 5 women has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
While men remain the key to stopping gender-based violence, women can and should learn to defend themselves, which is why Fernwood Fitness Shepparton is holding a Self-Defence Workshop on Thursday, February 13, featuring martial artist Marleigh Stevens.
“I had seen Marleigh’s work and wanted to make this accessible to women of the GV,” said Fernwood Shepparton’s franchise partner Danni Whitaker.
“As a woman myself I know it’s important to hold basic skills to protect myself and now raising daughters was also keen for young girls to have access.
“It had been spoken about by members for some time and Fernwood is happy it can host such an event making it open to all women of the Goulburn Valley.”
The women-only workshop is open to all teen and adult women across the Goulburn Valley, and will incorporate Empowerment and Self Confidence, Basic and Advanced Techniques, Knife and Weapon Defence, Ground Defence, Age-Appropriate Self-Defence and Stranger Danger.
The workshop will be held at Fernwood Fitness Shepparton, 290 High Street, Shepparton. Thursday, February 13, from 6pm to 8pm. $30 per person, but spots are limited so call (03) 5821 2405 to secure your place.
It is time Australians start defending their mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, partners, the ladies who live down the street and female co-workers.
