Indian Women Taking Self-Defense Classes

"The Delhi gang-rape has been a wake-up call for Indian society. Following the tragic case, women and girls are starting to take up self-defense classes. More than 200 girls joined a month-long camp in Bhopal to learn basic self-defense techniques. T"

The Delhi gang-rape has been a wake-up call for Indian society. 

Following  the tragic case, women and girls are starting to take up self-defense classes.

More than 200 girls joined a month-long camp in Bhopal to learn basic self-defense techniques. The course is provided free of charge.

Rajlaxmi is 8, she’s the youngest participant at the self-defense camp in Bhopal.

She joined the camp with her two older sisters and her mother.

“We are learning how to save ourselves if someone attacks us. I enjoy coming here to the camp with my sisters who are always here with me. I want to continue learning self-defense after the camp.”

9-year-old Mahalaxmi says she is learning many new techniques in the training.

“I am happy to be here for the camp. At home we practice what we learned. I hope to learn much from my course and would like to join some sports training  after the course is finished.”

According to the Indian government, a woman is raped in India every 20 minutes.

After the Delhi gang-rape, women are going the extra mile to protect themselves.

In Bhopal, the Sports and Youth Welfare Department of Madhya Pradesh is holding its first ever self-defence camp.

Participants are learning different techniques of karate, kung fu and martial arts.

Vikas Khardakar is the camp coordinator.

“We’re not only giving them physical training, but also mental training. Our aim is to try and make them strong mentally so they can face the world. We started with only 50 participants but now we have more than 200. We wanted those coming to the camp to learn how to save themselves from unwanted incidents and also how to help others.”

They are also learning some video tips on how to save themselves from attackers.

19-year-old Kritika Awasthi is a first year medical student. She’s here with 40 others college mates.

She would never have considering taking this course before, but the Delhi gang-rape case has changed her mind.

“We are now training as doctors and after we graduate we could be placed anywhere. We have to deal with different kinds of patients and we never know their intentions. Now is the time for us to learn basic techniques to face incidents. We may not remember all the techniques but we will have some techniques in mind and we’ll use them when we need them.”

Jaydev Sharma, a karate instructor with the Madhya Pradesh Sports Department, demonstrates a punching technique which you can use if you’re suddenly attacked.

As he explains, the course is also about boosting people’s confidence.

“At the beginning, some of the girls and women were quiet shy. They didn’t participate actively in the camp. We want these women and girls to understand that they can do anything. After a week or two, we feel that they are much more confident and ready to show their power. This is a self-defense course. We’re focusing on techniques that they can use if someone attacks them.”

Women of all ages and different backgrounds are coming to the camp.
 
Some are wearing traditional saris, like 30-year-old Preeti Pandey.

As a mother of three, she feels more confident after the course.

“I think the Delhi incident has forced women to think that they can no longer ignore their safety concerns. Learning self-defense techniques should become our priority. I also want to make my daughters stronger. I feel that girls in India are no longer safe. The gang-rape incident has proved that no one will come to save you if you are in trouble. I want my daughters to fight for themselves.” 

• India
• Defense Classes
• Gang Rape
• Women