Our Story
Voices of Resilience and Empowerment
Empowered to Protect Herself
Sunita Chapagain
“I may be visually impaired, but I’ve learned that doesn’t mean I can’t protect myself.”
Sunita works at a massage center and often travels home late at night. One evening, a man on a motorcycle offered her a ride. At first, it seemed convenient, but when he tried to pressure her into sitting closer and made inappropriate comments, Sunita remembered her Fightback training. She confidently refused and chose to walk home instead.
“ Learning to Stay Safe Online ”
A Student’s Story from Jhapa
A Grade 8 student from Jhapa attended a Fightback training for the first time, unsure of what to expect. Like many young people, she had heard about harassment but had never received guidance on how to recognize or respond to it; especially in the online world.
During the sessions, she was introduced to topics such as online harassment, digital safety, and online grooming. Through interactive activities, discussions, and games, the training helped her understand how harassment can happen not only in physical spaces but also through social media, messaging platforms, and other digital interactions.
One of the most important realizations for her was that online harassment is a serious and growing issue. Before the training, she knew that harassment existed but did not fully understand how common or harmful it could be. The sessions helped her recognize different forms it can take, including bullying, manipulation, and blackmail. She learned that harassment can sometimes come from people who seem familiar or trustworthy, which makes awareness and vigilance even
more important.
The interactive nature of the training made the learning experience memorable for her. Rather than just listening to lectures, students participated in activities and discussions that helped them practice real-life responses to difficult situations.
" The Training Helped Me Fight Back "
Girl from Bhairahawa
A young girl from Bhairahawa attended a Fightback training course while she was studying after her +2. On the second day of the training, she experienced a situation that tested everything she had just learned. Later that evening, after returning to her room and meeting a friend who had come from India, she noticed three young men lingering near the area where she lived. She soon realized they were the same individuals who had followed her earlier that evening.
As her friend left, the three men approached her. Sensing danger, she quickly moved toward her room. One of them suddenly grabbed her collar and tried to pull her back while threatening her. In that moment, she remembered what she had learned earlier that day in the Fightback training.
Instead of freezing in fear, she screamed loudly to attract attention, just as the trainers had taught. When the attacker tried to hold her, she used a self-defense technique and struck him in the groin, allowing her to break free. She immediately ran to safety.
Although the experience left her shaken, she returned to the Fightback training the next day and shared what had happened with the trainers. Reflecting on the incident, she realized how crucial the training had been.
From Participant to Trainer Empowering Thousands
Mamata Jay Prakash Singh
In 2017, Mamata Jay Prakash Singh from Nawalparasi West joined Fightback’s five-day self defense and awareness training as a participant. At the time, she was shy and lacked confidence in public speaking. Through the program, she learned about sexual violence prevention, recognizing high-risk situations, online safety, safe dating, and where to seek help. She also gained practical self-defense skills, including how to escape physical grabs and use everyday objects for protection.
Inspired by the training, Mamata started a self-defense group in her village called “Atma Rakshya Kishori Samuha” to raise awareness among girls in her community. Her dedication later led her to join Fightback, where she completed a one-month Training of Trainers (TTT)
program in Kathmandu.
Today, Mamata works as a Fightback soft skills trainer and has reached over 8,000 individuals, including girls, boys, teachers, and parents across Nepal. Through partnerships with organizations such as UNHCR and VSO, she helps communities understand different forms of violence and how to respond safely.
From once feeling nervous speaking in front of 10 people, Mamata now confidently facilitates
sessions for nearly 200 participants at a time.
Fightback UNHCR Video