Self-defence training for women packs a punch

The physical self-defence training imparted by the police for ensuring women’s safety is gaining momentum in the district with 15,000 women undergoing training in the 2017-18 fiscal alone.

Another 3,000 women have received training since the start of this fiscal despite the relatively limited awareness about the project, which was first introduced in 2015 shortly after the ghastly rape and murder case reported in Delhi.

“The awareness is definitely increasing so as the demand for the training, which is more about the self-defence of women at the receiving end of aggression using their body as weapons rather than endangering the aggressors. Sometimes a sharp stare or noisy rebuke would send the perpetrators packing. So it’s about giving women the self confidence to stand up for their own safety,” said K.M. Leela, Circle Inspector attached to the Police Women’s Cell, which arranges the training.

A demonstration of some physical drills by women police personnel being organised at Janakeeyam 2018, en exhibition-cum-sales fair being held at Marine Drive in connection with the second anniversary celebrations of the State government, seems to have done wonders in popularising the training programme. Thirty organisations have requested for training in the four days since the start of the fair.

In fact, a 50-year-old woman who visited the stall had returned with a feedback explaining how the demonstration helped her put an eve-teaser in his place aboard a bus.

20-hour programme

Of the 20-hour training package, 16 hours are dedicated to physical training and four hours on laws relating to women’s safety. The training can be conducted in one go over two or three consecutive days or in small fixed modules over a period of time. “College and school girls are among the major recipients of training though the women’s cell has also organised the training at the request of institutions or organisations such as residents’ associations, textile shops, Infopark and Cochin Special Economic Zone,” said Ms. Leela who cited eve-teasing as the single major harassment faced by women.

A team of 150 trained women police personnel have been deployed for the self-defence training sessions. Most of the police stations in the city have the service of these trained personnel and they are deployed to more stations on request based on availability.

Ms. Leela said that smart hands from among the 110 trained volunteers in the district are also utilised for the purpose. “These volunteers serve as a bridge between women and the police and are deployed along the vulnerable spots in the district to evaluate the problems faced by women,” she said.

A survey conducted has mapped the vulnerable spots in the city for women and they include bus stops at places such as Palarivattom, Kaloor and Palluruthy during night time.