Self-Defense and Safety with EBA Odesa: Women’s Self-Protection Workshop

10/ 06/ 2025

Listen to online Stop   In today’s reality, where women increasingly find themselves in situations of heightened danger — both in private life and in public spaces — self-defense skills and psychological resilience are becoming essential. The ability to assess a situation, stay calm, and act confidently not only helps protect oneself but also enables one to support others.  With this in mind, a practical self-defense workshop for women took place in Odesa on June 5 as part of the Self-Defense and Safety with EBA Odesa series. The event was organized by the Southern Ukrainian Office of the European Business Association in partnership with EBA member company Center and the Main Department of the State Emergency Service (SES) in the Odesa region.  The event was opened by Kateryna Morozova, Head of EBA Odesa. She emphasized that the Association consistently works to support initiatives on safety and self-defense — both for the business community and civil society. This time, the focus was on women, who often become vulnerable targets but at the same time possess a great potential for strength and self-protection.  The first part of the event was led by Olha Deminnikova — Head of the Department for Psychological Support and Social Protection of the Civil Protection Department, Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Odesa Region, Lieutenant Colonel of the Civil Protection Service.  Returning to the EBA’s initiative for the second time, she shared her proven “Four Elements” self-regulation method. Participants practiced basic breathing, grounding, and attention-focusing exercises — effective tools for emotional stabilization during critical situations.  After the theoretical part, the participants moved on to practice. Oleksandra Nikitina — an expert in women’s self-defense, along with specialists from the Centre law firm — demonstrated simple yet effective self-defense techniques. They taught how to break free from holds, use improvised tools, and respond correctly to threats from an aggressor. The practice was accompanied by explanations of the physical and psychological aspects of acting in dangerous situations.  Sincere thanks to Viktoriia Hurova, Deputy Head of the EBA Odesa Corporate Security Working Group and Director of Centre-97, as well as to the Main Directorate of the SES in the Odesa region and personally to Olha Deminnikova for their professional support and active involvement in joint initiatives to enhance womens safety — and for their thoughtful and sensitive approach to the topic.  We also thank all the participants for their openness, courage, and willingness to learn.  Self-defense begins with recognizing your own worth, and true strength lies in knowledge, support, and solidarity. 

In today’s reality, where women increasingly find themselves in situations of heightened danger — both in private life and in public spaces — self-defense skills and psychological resilience are becoming essential. The ability to assess a situation, stay calm, and act confidently not only helps protect oneself but also enables one to support others. 

With this in mind, a practical self-defense workshop for women took place in Odesa on June 5 as part of the “Self-Defense and Safety with EBA Odesa” series. The event was organized by the Southern Ukrainian Office of the European Business Association in partnership with EBA member company Center and the Main Department of the State Emergency Service (SES) in the Odesa region. 

The event was opened by Kateryna Morozova, Head of EBA Odesa. She emphasized that the Association consistently works to support initiatives on safety and self-defense — both for the business community and civil society. This time, the focus was on women, who often become vulnerable targets but at the same time possess a great potential for strength and self-protection. 

The first part of the event was led by Olha Deminnikova — Head of the Department for Psychological Support and Social Protection of the Civil Protection Department, Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Odesa Region, Lieutenant Colonel of the Civil Protection Service.  Returning to the EBA’s initiative for the second time, she shared her proven “Four Elements” self-regulation method. Participants practiced basic breathing, grounding, and attention-focusing exercises — effective tools for emotional stabilization during critical situations. 

After the theoretical part, the participants moved on to practice. Oleksandra Nikitina — an expert in women’s self-defense, along with specialists from the “Centre” law firm — demonstrated simple yet effective self-defense techniques. They taught how to break free from holds, use improvised tools, and respond correctly to threats from an aggressor. The practice was accompanied by explanations of the physical and psychological aspects of acting in dangerous situations. 

Sincere thanks to Viktoriia Hurova, Deputy Head of the EBA Odesa Corporate Security Working Group and Director of “Centre-97,” as well as to the Main Directorate of the SES in the Odesa region and personally to Olha Deminnikova for their professional support and active involvement in joint initiatives to enhance women’s safety — and for their thoughtful and sensitive approach to the topic. 

We also thank all the participants for their openness, courage, and willingness to learn. 

Self-defense begins with recognizing your own worth, and true strength lies in knowledge, support, and solidarity.