Online classes to raise awareness of abuse of women within relationships

The rise in domestic violence and intimate relationship abuse against young women has been one of the most disturbing phenomena during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recent research by Women’s Aid found that one in five women aged 18-25 have experienced intimate relationship abuse including emotional, physical and sexual abuse. The study also revealed that half of young women abused by a partner experienced online abuse including having intimate images of them shared without their consent. The risk of higher levels of digital and online abuse increased during the Covid-19 for young women not living with abusive partners.

On Saturday, 10 female fitness experts will hold online live classes, workshops and talks to support Women’s Aid’s public awareness campaign about intimate relationship abuse against young women, which continues until International Women’s Day on March 8th.

Forty-five minute sessions on Zoom will be held from 8am- 12.30pm for the Saturday Strong for Women’s Aid event. The classes include yoga, pilates, pregnancy movement, postnatal workout and a session on preventing running injuries.

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Donating time

Exercise coaches Sinéad Brophy and Aoife MacNeill organised the event and brought together women from the health and fitness industry. “Everyone was really willing to get involved and donate their time for free,” said Ms Brophy, who will be hosting classes on pregnancy movement and menstrual health: how to track your cycle.

Pelvic health physiotherapist Helen Keeble will give a workshop in preventing and resolving urinary leaks. "It's a great cause and I'm keen to raise awareness of bladder leaking during exercise, which affects four in five women. It's very easily fixed with breathing and pelvis floor exercises and it's important to do something about it when you're young to prevent leaking later in life."

The online events will culminate with a tasty brunch cook-along with chef Sinéad Delahunty and a class in prenatal nutrition and activity by obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Sarah Murphy.

Tickets are sold via Saturday Strong on eventbrite.ie, with all proceeds going to Women's Aid.