New Delhi schoolgirls to get self-defense training

Indian students protesting against the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a bus last week in New Delhi, hold a banner and placards during a protest in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. The banner reads, “We need a fearless society and equal rights to live”. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Anger and outrage in the city against the gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman has caused the civic agency-run primary schools here to announce that girl students and woman teachers would be trained to defend themselves.

“A self-defence program has been launched for girl students and woman teachers,” an officer of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation said, Wednesday.

Under the program, teachers and students of 548 schools in South MCD will be trained to tackle real-life situations and protect themselves from anti-social elements.

“The main objective of the program is to create awareness about safety and teach basic self-defense techniques,” the officer said.

Chairman of the education committee Satish Upadhyay said: “We have introduced this program seeing the increase in incidents of eve-teasing, rape and manhandling in society.”

It is the need of the hour that women raise their voice against crime, he said, adding that the training program would teach not only self-defense techniques but also aid in the development of confidence, a positive attitude, greater fitness and discipline among girl students and women teachers.

Tags: Crime, gang rape, India, New Delhi, public safety