Counterpunch: Dimapur Girls learn self-defence skills

Our Reporter
Dimapur, March 7 (EMN): In an age where women and girls continue to be unsafe, identifying potential dangers and tackling it has become crucial.

Against this backdrop, learning self-defence skills is a necessity and not just a hobby to be pursued, according to Khriemelie Metha, proprietor of The Combat Academy in Dimapur.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Metha said that in a place like India where ‘gender violence is at its peak’, learning self-defence can ‘bring the numbers down’.

“Girls and women should be prepared for any form of attack or violence,” said Metha.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau report of 2019, majority of cases under crimes against women were registered under ‘cruelty by husband or his relatives’ (31.9%), followed by ‘assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty’ (27.6%); ‘kidnapping and abduction of women’ (22.5%); and ‘rape’ (10.3%).

Rotaract Club, Dimapur, along with The Combat Academy, organised a two-day workshop to teach self-defence technique to the girls of Ram Janaki Higher Secondary School.

Metha informed that basic self-defence technique—and initial response to a threat whether it is a push, grabbing of hands or a slap—was taught to the girls.

The workshop, which catered to girls from classes 6, 7, 8 and 9, commenced on March 7 and will conclude on March 8, which coincides with the International Women’s Day.

“Being in control during a situation that may cause harm is empowering in itself,” said Metha.

The president of the Rotaract Club, Dimapur, Vivek Rai also told this newspaper that the self-defence workshop is being organised to empower the girls.

“Self-defence is very important; our girls cannot walk on the streets even after 7 pm. Many girls go for tuitions and head back home during such hours,” said Rai, and informed that around 200 girls are participating in the workshop.

“All men and women are equal. And women and girls have the right to live in this society without fear even though the society thinks they are the weaker sex,” said Rai.