<![CDATA[The Kerala Women Police have begun imparting physical self-defense training for ensuring women’s safety which is gaining momentum in the district with 15,000 women undergoing training during 2017-18 financial year alone. This was first introduced in 2015 shortly after the ghastly rape and murder case reported in Delhi. 3,000 women have received training since the start of this financial year despite the relatively limited awareness about the project. Ms. K.M. Leela, Circle Inspector attached to the Police Women’s Cell said that the awareness is definitely increasing so as the demand for the training, which is more about the self-defense 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.She arranges the self - defense training. A demonstration of some physical drills by women police personnel is being organized at Janakeeyam 2018, en exhibition-cum-sales fair being held at Marine Drive in connection with the second anniversary celebrations of the State government which seems to have done wonders in popularizing 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. Out 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. Ms. Leela who cited eve-teasing as the single major harassment faced by women said that College and school girls are among the major recipients of training though the women’s cell has also organized the training at the request of institutions or organizations such as residents’ associations, textile shops, Info-park and Cochin Special Economic Zone. A team of 150 trained women police personnel have been deployed for the self-defense 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 utilized 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. 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.]]>
