POISED & PREPARED
By Balaka Ghosal, The Green Writer
As an academic in gender studies and a mother of two teenage girls, I highly recommend this insightful guide to women’s safety. Balaka weaves personal stories, allegories, and folktales throughout, bringing the topic vividly to life and making it a truly engaging read. Her advice is practical, cross-cultural, and especially timely in today’s fast-changing digital world. A must-read for anyone interested in protecting themselves and those around them."
—Giselle Goodwin, PhD in women, work, and well-being, author of Can Women Really Have it All?, Chesire, UK
As a woman, you can choose to stay with your current perceptions of safety or take action to change them. The strongest change begins with the steps we choose for ourselves.
Reading this book will help you:
- Make choices to keep trouble at bay
- Identify potential dangers by settings
- Grow your situational and intuitive alertness
- Prepare to avoid, de-escalate, escape, or defend
- Impact your community by creating proactive groups
If you care for a wonderful woman, this book could be a life-changing gift for her. If you’re a man who cares for your family and community, this book can help you build a scaffold for change. Safety is for everyone.
Book Reviews
“Balaka Ghosal's Poised and Prepared is an easy but insightful read. Women's safety is a highly relevant topic, given the atrocities committed around the world. The book is both philosophical and pragmatic, focusing on the need for physical and mental preparedness. Balaka has stressed the importance of boundaries, awareness, intelligence, and sensitivity to ensure safety. You can't get better advice than that!”
—Paroma Roy Chowdhury, former Director and Country Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Google, India
“This book greatly empowers women to keep and feel safe wherever they are in the world. Underpinned by the personal experiences of the writer, her family, friends, and colleagues, it is close to reality for readers. Though primarily intended for women, it also caters to the needs of men and other vulnerable and marginalized people. Balaka wishes for a safe world, where everyone, everywhere, feels safe, and she deserves great commendation for this significant step. ‘To be forewarned,’ as they say, ‘is to be forearmed.’”
—Akua Sena Dansua, global health advocate, former ambassador, former minister, and former member of parliament, Ghana
“I’m a physician assistant working in a high-security prison, and I understand the importance of security in our lives, not only for women but also for children and the often weaker and disenfranchised 2SLGBTQI+ community. Prevention is always better than cure. This book is a synopsis of actions women can adopt to prevent violation of their selves and their bodies.”
—Dr. Mousumi De, PA-C, DMSc, MBBS, MPhil, DPH, public health specialist, certified correctional health physician, high-security prison, North Texas, USA
“Poised and Prepared offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to women's safety, covering prevention, practical tips tailored to specific settings, and community building. Balaka did a great job emphasizing safeguards one can take for oneself, and also the ways of creating safer communities. Practical and inspirational!”
—Bob Nelson, PhD, multi-million copy bestselling author of 1,001 Ways to Reward Employees, San Diego, California, USA
“A simple book from the heart that makes women feel seen, prepared, and quietly powerful. This is a book on empowerment that is relevant to all. It’s practical without being preachy, and thoughtful without creating anxiety. Every woman should read this—not because the world is dangerous, but because they deserve to feel safe and strong in it. And every man should read it to understand the reality of today.”
—Arjun Sen, CEO of ZenMango, motivational speaker, author of Unquit Forever (2024 film adaptation: I Want to Talk), Centennial, Colorado, USA
“A definitive and comprehensive guide to personal safety for women. The title is apt: be prepared, situationally aware, and take appropriate action. Don’t panic. Poised and Prepared is predicated on the simple yet profound maxim that knowledge is power. Written in plain language, this book should be on every woman’s shelf, if not in her handbag at all times.”
—Virginia McGowan, PhD, author of Civil@Work: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Soft Skills for Business Success, applied anthropologist, editor, speaker, and certified relational skills practitioner. Prince Edward Island, Canada
“Don’t pack another bag or run to the office without learning what you really need to know and do. Balaka spells out in a personable and easily relatable manner what maintaining your personal safety means in different situations, and the preparations everyone should consider before stepping outside their front door.”
—Fred Stawitz; CEO, Storymakers, Inc., award-winning author, international speaker, publisher, and strategic business advisor, Houston, Texas, USA
“One resounding message and intention stands out: it uniquely emphasizes the importance of developing awareness. This theme sets it apart from other books addressing safety for women. Balaka’s fundamental empowering messages will help women and all human beings. The awareness it fosters can shift our collective consciousness. The times are changing. Thank you, Ms. Ghosal, for your courage and for being a changemaker.
—Esperanza Smith, energy medicine practitioner, founder and executive director of non-profit PureEsperanza, Detroit, Michigan, USA
“A must-have handbook for women’s protection, meticulously researched and passionately put together to benefit women all over the world.”
—Vinita Agrawal, MA, author of six books of poetry, Indore, India
“Based on observation, personal experiences, and common sense, the author presents her recommendations for women's safety in a thoughtful, caring, and nurturing way. A must-read and a must-have for all girls and women.”
—Bipasha Mukherjee, attorney-at-law, Dallas, Texas, USA
“As a former personal trainer, I partnered with a martial artist and offered a self-defense class. I resonate with Balaka's recommendation for self-defense training for everyone. She emphasizes the importance of walking with confidence, being aware of your surroundings, and making noise when you need to. I highly recommend Poised and Prepared for every woman, young and old, and I want to pass it on to my teen daughter.”
—Beka Spain, MS, author of AI For The Soul, ayurveda practitioner and wellness educator, entrepreneur and business consultant, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
“The wisdom of caring and sharing is well represented. As women, our role doesn’t end with keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe. The author motivates all women to invest our energies into a leadership role for a long-lasting and fruit-bearing impact on creating a safer society.”
—Meera Baboolal, BSc, Office Manager, Trinidad and Tobago
“Loved the storytelling approach with folktales and allegories to explain social processes revolving around women’s safety. The author could write with conviction without losing her sense of humor even while throwing light on a dark and serious topic such as this.”
—Meetu Magotra, LLM, New Delhi, India
“This is a very informative book on safety for women of all ages. As a writer and storyteller focused on instilling positive attitudes in young boys and girls, I feel Poised and Prepared will save lives .”
—Alice Moma, retired special education teacher and author of Kalu’s Adventures—Dancing with the Enemy, Houston, Texas, USA
“This book is not just about women's safety; it's about creating a more respectful and equitable society. The author's vision for a community-driven approach to safety is compelling. She has clearly avoided preaching by sharing several of her own past mistakes. Her own vulnerabilities help to instill hope in the readers and connect them with the author.”
—Deborah R. Weiss, early childhood educator, creative music and dance specialist, mother, grandmother, Outstanding Young Woman of America Award 1985, Austin, Texas, USA
“Poised and Prepared offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to women's safety, covering prevention, practical tips tailored to specific settings, and community building. Balaka did a great job emphasizing safeguards one can take for oneself, and also the ways of creating safer communities. Practical and inspirational!”
—Bob Nelson, PhD, multi-million copy bestselling author of 1,001 Ways to Reward Employees, San Diego, California, USA
“As a resident of Bengal, I witness the ugliest cases of aggression against women. Every bit of this book is a jerking wake-up call. It offers help without judgment. The book, with its apt and bold title, is something you'd like to keep close.”
—Debarpita Datta Ray, PhD, author of Five Inches of Freedom, blogger, poetess, Kolkata, India
“A great resource for anyone interested in social change. The author's comprehensive approach to women's safety is empowering. The myth-busting section is particularly enlightening, and the practical safety tips are invaluable. A must-read for women and men alike!
—Debleena Banerji, PhD, co-founder and director of non-profit Prana-Essence of Life, Katy, Texas, USA
“This book is an engaging and empowering guide that addresses essential safety tips with clarity and sensitivity. It’s comprehensive, highlighting familiar yet often overlooked dangers, and raises awareness without causing undue fear. Perfect for anyone looking to stay informed and confident while navigating everyday risks.”
—Chandrima Chakraborty, MS, research engineer, Columbus, Ohio, USA
“The writer has approached women’s safety from several angles. With simple and easy to implement ideas and tools, this book is a must-read for all women out there. The tips and techniques are woven with real-life experiences. My favorite is the sanity curve and four quadrants, which shows you where you stand and what you can do about it.”
—Seema Chawla, BS, MS(AIML), BI and AI specialist, yoga therapist, Austin, Texas, USA
“There are not enough words to describe the usefulness of, and need for, a book on women’s safety. I admire the personal experiences Balaka shared, and they took me back to my time as a teenager growing up in India. The subtle gestures and roaming eyes taught me to always look for safety. Sadly, it happens all over the world, and we must all do our part to protect youngsters. So many tips; pick what works best for you!”
—Mamta Verma Ganesan, Hindi language educator, yoga teacher, Austin, Texas, USA
“I go to work very early in the morning. Most of the time it is very dark, and I often feel uncomfortable walking alone. The tips in this book helped me learn a lot about how to stay alert and safe in every situation.”
—Piyali Chatterjee, procurement professional, Houston, Texas, USA
“A book to read with a highlighter in hand!”
—Srabani Roy Akilla, writer, blogger, teacher, Houston, Texas, USA
“A must-read book. I’m amazed to see how thorough a person can be when it comes to women’s safety. Thank you, Balaka Ghosal, for creating an absolutely necessary tool for our society. I’m sure Poised and Prepared will help women of all ages to strategize and plan every move to significantly reduce their chances of being harmed.”
—Sarbari Gupta, BA, founder and chief editor of Du-Kool Magazine, California, USA
“Poised & Prepared is an absolute must-read for all women and girls, especially those who live on their own. I am a mother of two girls. and one of my daughters lives alone. I will definitely be sharing this book with her! This is a comprehensive and insightful manual of safety, filled with practical tips. Readers will be better equipped with multiple strategies to fend for themselves.”
—Sambreen Ashar, MBA, mother of two young adult women, Houston, Texas, USA
“Poised and Prepared is more than a safety manual. It's a confidence toolkit. It's a life-saving resource. It's a call to reclaim autonomy and live fearlessly. Ghosal’s mantra, ‘Replace fear with formulation’, flips the script on vulnerability and turns awareness into power. Practical, empowering, and deeply relevant, this book is a must-read for women and those who care about them.”
—Harleen Chhabra Gupt, talent and culture advisor, children’s author, and Amputee Advocate, Houston, Texas, USA
As an academic in gender studies and a mother of two teenage girls, I highly recommend this insightful guide to women’s safety. Balaka weaves personal stories, allegories, and folktales throughout, bringing the topic vividly to life and making it a truly engaging read. Her advice is practical, cross-cultural, and especially timely in today’s fast-changing digital world. A must-read for anyone interested in protecting themselves and those around them.
—Giselle Goodwin, PhD in women, work, and well-being, author of Can Women Really Have it All?, Chesire, UK