# From 5 girls in 2016, MukkaMaar now trains 14,000 across Mumbai and Delhi

2026-08-10T00:51:03+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Actor Ishita Sharma started teaching self-defence to five girls on Versova beach in 2016, after a documentary on a child rape case left her stunned. Her initiative, MukkaMaar, now works with over 100 government schools in Mumbai and Delhi, reaching about 14,000 girls in Classes 6-8. The three-year programme combines martial arts, verbal skills, and lessons on gender stereotypes. Freepressjournal.in reports that the organisation is also in talks with state governments to reform how self-defence is taught in schools. Founder Sharma says 17 million adolescent girls study in Indian schools, underscoring the need for such programmes.

## Coverage

- freepressjournal.in <https://www.freepressjournal.in/angels-of-mumbai/from-5-girls-at-versova-beach-to-14000-across-mumbai-and-delhi-how-mukkamaar-is-empowering-girls-through-self-defence-and-life-skills-video>

Tags: girls, Ishita Sharma, MukkaMaar, Mumbai, schools, self-defence
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