Though incidents of violence against women get reported at an alarming rate in the city and in the country, the gang-rape in Delhi agitated the country like never before.
Such occurrences have sparked the need to train women in self defence. Propelled by this thought and mission, a non-profit organisation Aram Foundation Charitable Trust, in the city is organising self-defence training classes.
Recently a training programme on self-defence for physical directors and teachers from 83 Corporation schools across the city was held at Ramakrishnapuram Corporation Higher Secondary School. Another one was organised on Thursday at Nirmala College for Women in which around 600 students participated.
The women are being trained by Vijayraj, a black belt holder in karate and his team of three. Vijayraj said, “Combat techniques using basic accessories like umbrellas and handbags and even bare hands are helpful. It is one’s right not to be abused and not to suffer in silence.”
While the women say that it is helpful to be equipped with self-defence techniques, it is the vulnerability to the attacks that bothers them more.
One of the participants, a 19-year-old college student Arulmozhi says, “While it is great that such self defence techniques are being taught, the fact remains that it is the insecurity that affects us more. We cannot walk on the streets alone after dark and even standing at the bus stop waiting for a bus makes us feel wobbly. It is good to learn to handle oneself with such modus operandi, but why is there no focus on reforming or reprimanding the men who make us need such violent techniques in the first place?”
When asked about police protection, Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore Rural District, E S Uma says that women cops have been deployed at all public places including bus stands. “Even the patrol vehicles have women constables. In case there are no cops around the area, the woman can always call 100 and almost immediately we will direct cops to the area,” she says.