Women interested in learning how to defend themselves will have the opportunity to learn self-defense skills and more this Saturday at the second annual Fight Like a Girl event.

The class is a collaboration between the Fort Dodge Police Department and Faiferlick Martial Arts.

Officer Caitlin Carlyle, of the Fort Dodge Police Department, came up with the idea for the class last year.

The event is largely the same, although this year some prizes will be awarded.

“We’ll have some raffle items and then some door prizes,” Carlyle said. “Our raffle item is a gift card for a massage and all those proceeds will go to the Lotus Project.”

The Lotus Community Project is a shelter that supports homeless women and children.

Carlyle said last year’s event was well-received.

“I think it went well,” she said. “I think we had great turnout. Hopefully, people took away something.”

Fight Like a Girl will begin with Carlyle and Webster County Sheriff’s Deputy Amy Stringer giving a presentation. It will be followed by Justin Faiferlick, owner of the martial arts studio, giving self-defense demonstrations and allowing participants to practice those skills.

The event will be held at the studio, 567 S. 25th St. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m.

Participants will also receive a free bottle of pepper spray and a portable alarm.

Women who are at least 18 years old can participate in Fight Like a Girl. Carlyle suggested they also wear comfortable clothes as they will be moving around quite a bit.

Self-defense classes such as Fight Like a Girl are important for many reasons, according to Carlyle.

“I think it gives back power to what would feel like a powerless situation for some women,” she said.