The pursuit of physical strength is traditionally encouraged in boys, but rarely in girls. Not just in India but all over the world, even in developed countries, the world of sports remains heavily dominated by men—both in professional arenas and informal spaces. Girls and women are therefore kept away from the transformative benefits that sports offer. Through initiatives like Nanhi Kali’s Sports for Life programme, however, this reality is slowly changing.
Playing sports strengthens more than just the body. Beyond the well-known benefits of cardiovascular fitness, muscle development, and bone strength, regular sports activities are important to cultivate self-confidence, emotional well-being, and mental resilience. Having a regular hobby that builds self-esteem in parallel to physical strength is uniquely powerful, especially when it also offers a way to ease menstrual discomfort and break taboos about movement during menstruation. Ultimately, sports have the potential to equip girls and women alike with a sense of strength and self-awareness to guide them throughout their lives.
Recognising the need to spread these benefits, a self-defence workshop was recently held for 60 Nanhi Kalis in Palghar, Maharashtra. This workshop was led by a team of self defence experts commissioned by InCred Financial Services – a committed donor for Project Nanhi Kali – and its activities emphasised the importance of being and feeling strong. What followed was more than just an afternoon of kicks and punches. Through repetitions of basic defence poses, some of which featured playful props and ‘surprise attacks’, the girls were encouraged to explore the hidden power in their bodies, some for the very first time.
To Naandi, this workshop demonstrates the importance of encouraging girls to develop their own strength and to do so proudly. While the day ended with laughter and excitement, the hope is that the lessons learned will continue to grow. With every sports activity and workshop, we hope that girls are reminded that physical strength and self-confidence aren’t reserved for boys. They belong to everyone, and they belong to them.
