Women's security > — The Mirella project

Women’s Security & Awareness Training – Collaboration with Prosectra

Delivering international women’s personal security and self-protection training programs in diverse cultural and operational environments.

Through her collaboration with Prosectra, Mirella’s work focuses on delivering women’s awareness, personal security, and self-protection training to women in diverse and complex environments. Across programs implemented in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Antananarivo, Salamiya, and Damascus, the objective was to equip women with the knowledge, awareness, and practical skills needed to navigate everyday environments more safely and confidently.

This work combines situational awareness, behavioral prevention strategies, and practical self-protection techniques, while also addressing the psychological and social dimensions of personal security. The approach emphasizes that safety is not about living in fear, but about developing the awareness and mindset that allow individuals to recognize risks early, make informed decisions, and respond effectively when necessary.

By integrating internationally recognized security methodologies with a strong understanding of local cultural and social contexts, these trainings aim to empower women to take an active role in their own safety, strengthen their confidence in public and private spaces, and contribute to safer communities overall.

Women under threats: The growing crisis in Syria

The situation for women in Syria is extremely difficult. The civil war that began in 2011 leading to the fall of the regime in 2024 and the rise of a conservative movement. As a result, life has become increasingly restrictive, making it harder for women to move freely and maintain independence.

Women are now being targeted not only for robbery, but also for rape and sexual assault in the streets. If a woman is not fully veiled from head to toe, it is often assumed that she is provoking such behavior. Even small details, such as wearing nail polish, can be interpreted as a form of seduction, leading some to believe they are justified in acting however they want.

All of these factors contribute to a fractured community where women are unable to live independently, go out, work, or lead a life free from fear. The training program empowered women by helping them better understand their surroundings, recognize potential threats, and identify risks at an early stage.

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Supporting Women’s Safety in Antananarivo, Madagascar

Theft and domestic violence are very high in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Due to the poverty in the country, many people survive on only half a dollar a day. Everywhere you look, women are taking charge—they work in shops, on buses, and in taxis, handling much of daily life and responsibility. Yet many men still believe they are the heads of the family and assume that women depend on them.

Many women have been beaten, abused, or stabbed. The purpose of the training was to help them develop situational awareness and better understand potential threats. The country itself is not conservative, but women still face serious safety challenges.

Empowering women in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad against violence and fear

There are very high levels of theft and sexual assault, especially in Karachi. Men have been known to throw acid on women or cut off their hands or fingers, and many of these crimes go unreported because they are often tolerated or justified through false accusations against the victims. The government frequently fails to provide adequate protection for women.

The training helps women identify threats, develop situational awareness, and learn basic self-defense techniques. It also teaches them how predators think and behave in order to target victims, as well as the different types of attackers they may face.