Community 

Workshop: Power In Motion

Group of women participating in a fitness or dance class in a room with wooden walls and windows, led by an instructor at the front. The instructor is near a backdrop with the letters 'BL' repeated.

At A Glance

  • “An amazing class with a great vibe. As a woman of color in a dangerous neighbourhood, this wasn't just fun—it was necessary. I hope all women feel empowered to join a self-defence class and rediscover their strength. Thank you to sisterfitTO & BacharLorai!”

    Katherine Argueta

    Attendee, Power In Motion

  • 25 Attendees

  • August 2, 2025

  • SDG 5: Gender Equality

  • Toronto, Canada

Impact
Overview

Power in Motion, in partnership with SisterFit, provided trauma-informed, women-led self-defence to build confidence and safety for young racialized, newcomer, and low-income women across the GTA.

Our partners

Logo for Sister Fit with a stylized text in white, a purple swirl icon above, and a small star to the right of the text, all on a black background.
A group of women participating in a dance or exercise class in a wooden-floored room with wood-paneled walls, windows, and bookshelves, facing instructors at the front.
People participating in a dance or exercise class in a spacious room with wood-paneled walls, ceiling lights, and windows.
Group of diverse women participating in a dance or exercise class in a large room with wooden paneling, hardwood floor, and ceiling lights.
A woman standing in front of a backdrop with a repeating 'BL' pattern, speaking to or addressing an audience of three women, one with long curly hair, one wearing a hijab, and one with short dark hair.

Project Team

  • Sreya Tehsin, Youth Workshop Program Manager, BacharLorai

  • Fatima Lee, Director, Sister Fit T.O

SDG Alignment

Red background with white text and symbols representing Goal 5: Gender Equality, featuring gender symbols and an equality sign.

Target 5.2
Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

Target 5.1
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Context

Power in Motion was designed to address the unique safety challenges faced by young women and girls, particularly those from newcomer, racialized, and low-income backgrounds, in navigating public and private spaces across the GTA. Through community outreach and local partnerships, the program engaged 13 participants from areas such as Scarborough, Mississauga, Rexdale, and Jane & Finch. Delivered in a women-only, culturally responsive environment, the workshop not only focused on physical self-defence but also emphasized internal empowerment—covering topics like boundary-setting, self-advocacy, and emotional resilience. Participants reported feeling significantly more confident, evident in our testimonials, in their ability to protect themselves, with many highlighting the importance of having access to trauma-informed, women-led training tailored to their lived realities.