Rise and resist: Self-defence workshop at Dhaka University

On Saturday, 10 May 2025, students gathered at the central gymnasium of the University of Dhaka for a self-defence workshop titled "Rise and Resist." Organised in collaboration with Legacy MMA Gym, the event brought together around 120 individuals to learn basic self-defence techniques to respond to harassment or physical assault.

In recent times when students are facing increased safety-related anxiety, the need for self-protection feels relevant and essential. The idea was not to turn anyone into a black belt overnight, but to plant a seed of resistance.

Shehreen Amin Bhuiyan, Assistant Proctor, lecturer, and Chairperson of the gymnasium, said, "While we're doing everything we can to prevent unsafe situations, we wanted to think beyond just security guards and CCTVs. What else could we do for our girls? Something to build their capacity, their instinct to protect themselves, not just on campus but outside too."

Legacy MMA, which has previously worked with many universities, handled the session in a way that felt suitable. They did not try to overwhelm the students with heavy techniques. Rather, they broke it down step by step, starting from basics. And more importantly, they focused on what happens in our heads during those panic-fuelled moments when instincts freeze.

The session began with that psychological groundwork before moving on to light warm-ups and stretching, which eventually led to self-defence techniques based on mixed martial arts at the end. It was not just about learning kicks and punches being thrown, it was about figuring out how not to freeze when things go wrong.

When you have been told your whole life to stay quiet, keep your head down, and not make a scene, learning how to stand your ground is more than physical. One student, Maliha, reflected on this layered experience, "We really enjoyed the session. But more than that, we need more of these. This isn't just about knowing how to defend ourselves. It's about feeling confident, like we're not helpless. It empowers us."

The truth is, no number of workshops can single-handedly fix what is broken. Not until the larger structures, social, cultural, and institutional, finally catch up and start treating safety and dignity as non-negotiable.

In the meantime, small revolutions matter. And, so the name "Rise and Resist" felt especially apt. Not just because it sounds catchy on a poster, but because it captured a simple truth, rising and resisting are not grand gestures. Sometimes, they begin quietly, in a campus gym, with a stretch, a breath, and a newfound sense of control.

Photo: Courtesy