Learn About Us

What is Iron Butterflies

Iron Butterflies is a self-defense and self-awareness movement I started in January 2025 after feeling deeply helpless and disturbed by the news and videos I kept seeing of girls — across ages and backgrounds — being harassed, violated, and silenced. I couldn’t just scroll past anymore. I wanted to do something that would make even one girl feel safer and stronger. That’s how Iron Butterflies was born — a space where girls learn to protect their bodies, trust their instincts, and find their voices. I began by channelising every resource I could — connecting with mentors, martial arts coaches, and psychologists. With the support of my grandfather and his team, I visited schools, spoke to principals, and persuaded them to integrate self-defense into their curriculum. I motivated teachers and students to believe that safety is not a privilege — it’s a right. Today, Iron Butterflies runs in eight schools, empowering girls through workshops on self-defense, awareness, confidence, and resilience. My dream is that no girl ever feels helpless again — that like iron, she is strong, and like a butterfly, she knows she can rise.

What inspired me to start this initiative

The horrific RG Kar medical college rape case deeply shook me and made me realize how vulnerable many girls are — especially those who lack access to training, support, resources or awareness. I felt strongly that empowerment must begin early, in classrooms, where girls can learn not only how to defend themselves physically but also how to stand up for their dignity and speak out. Iron Butterflies grew from this conviction: that no girl should feel powerless, and that strength, like wings, can be taught. My goal is to transform fear into confidence and silence into self-assurance.

Vision

• Expand to 50 schools in 2 years
• Launch Iron Butterflies Fellowship
• Host annual Iron Cup Self-Defense Tournament