IAESDP Responds to New UN Women’s Rights Report with a Call to #FightForward

Empowerment Self-Defense Professionals stress urgent action against rising violence and discrimination  

A newly released UN report, Women’s Rights in Review 30 Years after Beijing, warns that “progress has been slow and uneven, and today no country can claim to have achieved gender equality” (UN Women, p. X), underscoring the threat of reversing hard-won gains in women’s and girls’ rights.  

Against this backdrop, the International Association of Empowerment Self Defense Professionals (IAESDP) is sounding the alarm. Their #FightForward initiative calls for bold steps to halt the rollback on gender equality and end what they describe as a “Predator Culture” that is thriving on silence and stigma.  

A Global Call to #FightForward 

“Ending violence and dismantling Predator Culture are key to achieving true gender parity,”   
Lissette Brassac Fitzgerald, Executive Director, IAESDP  

The IAESDP’s mission is clear: to prevent violence before it happens by fostering an environment where everyone—regardless of gender—has the skills and support to live safely and autonomously. 

  • Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) vs. Traditional Self-Defense: Unlike many conventional programs, ESD addresses the root causes of gender-based violence. It teaches boundary-setting, verbal de-escalation, and bystander intervention—alongside physical techniques. By empowering individuals to recognize and halt predatory behavior at its earliest stages, ESD aims for lasting cultural change rather than merely reactionary tactics.  

  • Evidence-Based Prevention: IAESDP equips Credentialed ESD Professionals with rigorously researched training and educational resources. This ensures best practices in teaching strategies that protect personal safety while challenging harmful norms.  

 

  • Communities as Allies: Part of #FightForward involves working with communities to confront sexist attitudes, support survivors, and reshape social expectations that enable violence.  

 

Why Action Can’t Wait 

The rise of online abuse, recent conflicts worldwide, and surging economic inequalities are intensifying threats to women’s autonomy. Even in first-world countries like France—long assumed beyond the need for such education—recent high-profile cases, including that of Gisele Pelicot, highlight the persistence of Predator Culture. “Online and offline violence share a root cause: deeply ingrained cultural norms that silence survivors and shield perpetrators,” explains Barsac Fitzgerald. “ESD breaks that silence, giving individuals tools to protect themselves and build solidarity.”  

Join the Movement 

  • Learn the Difference: Seek out a Credentialed Empowerment Self-Defense Professional to ensure top-quality, research-driven instruction.  

 

  • Engage and Share: Use the hashtag #FightForward to raise awareness and show your support for proactive violence prevention.  

 

  • Become an Ally: Encourage local community leaders and educational institutions to partner with IAESDP or recognized ESD programs.  

 

“We cannot afford to let decades of progress slip away,” says Brassac Fitzgerald. “Empowerment Self-Defense is about building safer communities, dismantling Predator Culture, and ensuring that women’s rights don’t just survive, but thrive.”  

About the IAESDP

The International Association of Empowerment Self Defense Professionals (IAESDP) is dedicated to advancing the field of Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) as a powerful tool for violence prevention, personal safety, and social change. Committed to evidence-based strategies and trauma-informed approaches, IAESDP brings together instructors, researchers, and advocates to promote best practices in self-defense training worldwide.  

 

Our mission is to equip individuals with practical skills, strengthen communities, and advocate for policies that foster safety and empowerment for all—especially those at increased risk of violence. IAESDP supports its members through professional development, certification programs, research initiatives, and international collaborations.   
  
By fostering a global movement for empowerment-based self-defense, IAESDP strives to create a world free of gender-based violence, oppression, and discrimination, ensuring that everyone has access to the knowledge and tools to stand up for their safety and dignity.  

For more information, visit www.esdprofessionals.org  or contact us: 
 
Claude Jonkmans  
Communications Manager  
International Association of Empowerment Self Defense Professionals (IAESDP)  
communications@esdprofessionals.org   
www.esdprofessionals.org