As part of NIIC 2’s Business Development Support, freelance beauticians from Parlor Sewa by Murarkey participated in a two-day self-defence and women’s empowerment training under the “Beauty with Strength” initiative.

For many beauticians, work often involves travelling alone during early hours—sometimes as early as 2–3 AM—for bridal makeup and other beauty services. This reality brings significant safety concerns, making awareness and preparedness essential.

The training was designed to address these challenges by focusing on workplace safety, sexual harassment awareness, legal rights related to exploitation, and practical self-defence techniques. Participants engaged in hands-on and scenario-based learning sessions aimed at building both confidence and real-world response skills.

More than 25 beauticians took part in the programme, which was delivered by certified instructors from Shastrang Martial Arts over two days. The training enabled participants to better understand potential risks, strengthen their personal safety awareness, and gain practical tools to navigate challenging situations in their professional and travel environments. NIIC 2 is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by One to Watch.