Dear friends,
In 2014, I participated in an essay-writing contest organized by the
‘Garima Women’s Forum' of the Indian
Medical Association (I.M.A.). I won the
third prize, a cash award of Rs.500/- and a certificate. The topic was ‘Should self-defense be part of
the curriculum for girls?’ Kindly read this prize-winning entry and let me have your feedback. Thanks. Priya
Should self-defense be part of the curriculum
for girls?
The other day, I watched
indulgently, as my 6 year old niece demonstrated some basic moves of karate that
she had just learnt at school. I
wondered why we, as children never learnt the same at school, as I had studied
in the same school as my niece.
Just then, my
glance fell upon that day’s newspaper which carried a news-item with the
headline “6 year old raped in a Bengaluru school.” I got the answer to the
question which had just reared its head in my mind! Nowadays, self-defense is a necessity, not a
luxury or a fad! It is imperative for the growth of a girl in a happy frame of
mind!
Yes, with rising
instances of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault on women and even
children and elderly women, self-defense seems to be the only option for ladies
to protect themselves. Nowadays, ladies
have full-time careers, have to travel by public transport, work in
night-shifts, often travel alone all over the world; hence it is imperative
that they are able to defend themselves against unwanted attention and lusty
sexual advances.
As we are all
aware, rape or physical abuse of any kind, have long-lasting effects on the
physical and mental well-being of girls/ladies. The trauma could make them
depressed and withdrawn. They could lose their productivity and positivity.
They could become suspicious of all men and this could even affect their married
lives and sexual compatibility with their husbands.
Even boys need to
guard against sexual predators. As theft and muggings, chain-snatching, kidnapping
incidents for ransom and terrorism are on the rise, all of us need to be safe
and secure and what could be better than self-reliance to protect ourselves
from bodily harm?
Being equipped
with the adequate self-defense techniques, such as Karate, Taekwondo, Kung-fu
or other martial arts and even the basic equipment such as chilly or pepper spray
cans; give people an edge over their opponents.
While granting
licenses for guns to women is a subject of great debate, it can be considered a
gutsy step in the right direction.
Nothing can scare the living daylights out of a sexual predator/stalker or
burglar; more than a gun resolutely pointed in his/her direction! Of course, the woman must protect herself
from the eventuality wherein that predator could wrest that weapon from her
hand and harm her with it. Nevertheless,
a weapon in one’s possession does empower a woman. She needn’t feel helpless anymore.
Then there’s the
problem of registering an FIR with the police authorities and the ensuing legal
procedures which include identification and court trials of the alleged
accused.
Most ladies/girls
hesitate to approach the police and even refrain from telling their own family
members about their sexual molestation or attempts at the same; fearing the
wrath of the family members, insensitive comments made by neighbors and society
at large and the attempts by the police officials to dissuade them from filing
an FIR. Many times, these ladies are asked embarrassing questions by the
policemen and have to bear taunts and insinuations that they themselves are
guilty and not the accused!
Often lawyers try to portray the victims as
ladies of loose character and morals and try to justify the alleged accused’s
actions. Thus very few of such people
are actually convicted and sentenced.
Once scot-free, they resume harassment of those girls with renewed
vengeance.
Some men, who
stalk ladies, even carry out acid attacks on women who spurn their advances.
Then there are
caste-based violations of a woman’s dignity, as in the recent case of Badaun
where 2 teenagers were gang-raped and murdered and hung from a tree.
The Nirbhaya
gang-rape of a young intern in a Delhi bus was a gruesome reminder of how there
is lack of effective police patrolling and the general public’s apathy to the
victims.
Thus self-defense
education in schools is a must as the students learn the techniques along with
their studies from a very young age, when they are very flexible and their memory
and grasping powers are also very strong. These techniques teach one to be
agile, alert, have quick reflexes and respond in a jiffy to life-threatening
situations, through tact, diplomacy and trusting one’s own instincts. They also
help one to protect oneself as well as one’s companions or others in the
community. These techniques can make children effectively tackle bullies,
pedophiles, etc. Their parents and elders back home will also feel secure and
confident in the knowledge that they can take care of themselves. They can say
“Good Bye” to worries!
They can aid in
keeping one’s wits about oneself and even defuse life-threatening situations! Above
all, they make one confident about oneself and one’s own ability to capably
ward off unwanted attackers, etc. This self-confidence will improve one’s
productivity too, as one need not fear going out alone or doing other jobs that
may involve risks, such as in professions like investigative-journalism,
spying, policing, providing security, etc. In fact, girls can fearlessly join
the defense services, paramilitary services, competitive sports and other such
professions where physical strength is as important as mental strength; if they
are so trained right since childhood. Thus they can choose their profession and
give their future the requisite direction at a very early age.
My friend’s brother’s daughter, one day,
demonstrated how they were taught self-defense techniques in school wherein
they could protect themselves against their attacker’s vicious onslaughts; just
by using whatever was handy, right then. For instance, an umbrella, a walking
stick, even their rucksacks and belts, stones, etc. could be used effectively
in warding off the culprits. They were even taught to tackle the culprits with
bare hands.
Self-defense experts, educationists and
parents of school and college-going children are unanimous in their opinion
about introducing self-defense in the curriculum. Even abroad, this is the
norm. Recently noted film actor Akshay Kumar championed this cause when he said
that self-defense must be made a compulsory part of education curriculum for
civilians; and has even taken up this issue with the Central Government.
In 2013, the Human Resource Development
Ministry had directed all State Governments to ensure that children in upper primary
classes are taught self-defense as a part of their physical education curriculum.
This is a very encouraging and positive step in the right direction.
Accordingly, the Maharashtra
State Government has included this compulsory topic in the schools’ curriculum,
as part of physical education; along with gender sensitization studies. Thus
the educational institutions will have to mandatorily invest in this program in
the best interests of our future generation. I hope this is the norm throughout
our country.
An important aspect related to
girls’/women’s safety is that it is equally important that the police and
security agencies are very vigilant and conscientious towards their duty. Though
self-defense empowers women, it may prove ineffective when they are confronted
by a large number of assailants or very strong ones! Thus external protection
and self-defense are two sides of the same coin! These two aspects will
complement each other and are equally vital to the well-being, security and
safety of girls/women.
To sum up, self-defense should be a
part of curriculum not just for girls, but for boys too. In the vicious, insecure,
unsafe and turbulent scenario these days, it is definitely advisable to
continue its implementation. After all,
as the wise old adage goes: “It’s better to be safe than to be sorry!”
The copyright of this essay is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.
