BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to empower women of the Capital City, Bhubaneswar Town Centre District (BTCD) on Monday launched a self-defence training programme. Speaking at the launch at Utkal Karate School, BTCD officials said about 40 girls and women between 14 years and 25 years participated in the counselling programme.
The programme’s aim is to impart self-defence techniques to women in 10 batches consisting of 32 members each. The participants will be trained for two hours daily for 10 days. Once the participants complete training, they will be given certificates along with a nominal stipend from Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) under Socially Smart Programme project.An officer of the Commissionerate Police will sensitise them about the initiatives taken up by police for their safety.
This training is part of a Socially Smart project which is undertaken by BSCL, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).UNFPA State Programme Coordinator, Dr Deepa Prasad said it will boost the mental and physical strength of participants residing in urban slums where safety and security of women is a major concern.
Humara Bachpan Trust (HBT), the implementing partner, had selected participants after holding discussions with community members and other stakeholders of the slums.The inaugural session’s demo was presented by Anupama Swain, National karate medallist and Gold lifter in Asian Power Lifting Championship The residents of Shantipalli Telugu Basti, Masjid Colony and Jagannath Basti attended Monday’s training.