Self-defence is an essential life skill, especially for women navigating safety concerns in their daily lives. Founded by West Midlands–based entrepreneur Gulshen Bano, ‘Strike Back Self Defence’ is a women-led organisation dedicated to equipping women and girls with practical self-defence skills that build awareness, confidence and personal safety.
Speaking to Asian Voice about the inspiration behind founding ‘Strike Back Self Defence’, Gulshen said, “I’m a former pharmacist, and I experienced several physical assaults, some at work and some simply walking home. I realised how unsafe I was and that I was being targeted because I looked small and unable to fight back. That made me want to find a way to protect myself and regain some control.”
She added, “When I started learning Krav Maga over 15 years ago, so many women shared their own stories with me. But many didn’t feel comfortable attending mixed classes or being taught by male instructors, especially those who had experienced trauma. That’s when I realised there was a real need for a safe, female-only space.” I qualified as an instructor and created Strike Back Self Defence as a supportive environment where women and girls, regardless of background or faith, could learn to defend themselves and feel empowered.”
Strike Back Self Defence centres on awareness, prevention and building confidence. Highlighting its holistic approach, Gulshen said, “Women don’t learn self-defence because they want to fight, they want to feel safe and get home safely. As a petite woman, I know I don’t want to get into a physical confrontation with someone bigger and stronger, and most women feel the same.”
She stressed that the training is about more than physical moves. “It’s about spotting red flags, reading body language and trusting your instincts. Women are highly intuitive, but we’re often conditioned to ignore that gut feeling to avoid seeming rude.”
“We encourage women to act on that instinct,” she added. “If something feels wrong, remove yourself. That awareness and confidence can stop situations from escalating. The physical skills are there if needed, but women fight for survival, not ego.”
As a women’s safety advocate, Gulshen addressed the view that women should not have to “adjust” their behaviour to stay safe. “We agree that men’s attitudes must change, but that will take time. In the meantime, women still deserve to be safe,” she said.
She stressed that the goal is empowerment, not restriction. “We’re not telling women not to go out or travel. We’re saying live your life, but have the skills to protect yourself if something feels wrong.”
Using a simple analogy, she added, “We lock our doors at night because we know burglars exist. That’s prevention. It’s not about blame, it’s about giving women the confidence and basic skills to stay safe.”
Gulshen, who recently appeared on Dragons’ Den, said securing a Dragon as an investor was a major milestone. “I’ve been advocating for women’s safety for years, but this is a global issue. Whether in the UK or elsewhere, women share the same fears and experiences,” she said.
She emphasised the urgency of action. “We hear about long-term plans, but women are being attacked today. Safety can’t wait ten years. CCTV and patrols aren’t enough when assaults happen in isolation. This has to be a priority now.”
For Gulshen, the show was about amplifying the message. “It was about visibility, pushing the conversation worldwide. Every woman I speak to says, ‘Enough is enough.’ If that makes people uncomfortable, then we’re having the right conversation.”
Marking Women’s Day, she added, “Don’t let anyone shrink you. The power has always been yours, you are stronger and more capable than you think. We’re simply reminding women to reclaim that strength, stand tall and take control. Living in what can feel like a man’s world is tough, but it doesn’t define us.”
