2016 has become a trying time for women. 1 in 6 women become a victim of completed or attempted rape in her lifetime. 17.7 million women have been rapped since the year 1998. This is just the tip of a deadly iceberg, the beginning of the gross statistics that are plaguing females to be afraid to leave their homes or even walk on the streets. No women should be afraid of anyone, ever. While we try to fight these statistics with teaching the male gender to stop, there hasn't been much direct change. So, we, as women need to make some changes of our own.
Recently, I've been learning boxing and other fighting styles in order to protect myself. The idea of being attacked is always scary, so it helps so much to be prepared at all times. In a public place, I get in a paranoid state of mind thinking of how I can be attacked. With boxing, it can be a good stress reliever as well as a way to protect myself in a bad situation. I can't explain the rush I feel when I hit the bag as hard as I can. It makes me feel like a stronger me, someone different. The ability to defend yourself is a great knowledge to learn, no matter if you're a man or woman.
Women shouldn't have to live in a constant state of fear, no one should. In the new year, I dream of a place where women don't need to travel in packs or have men escorting them to their cars. I want a city and a world that I won't be attacked in, but until then I'll fight for it.
