A group of 33 schoolgirls hailing from different parts of Rajarhat, who face many risks at home and away in their everyday lives to be able to continue with their studies, got a daylong training in self-defence on Saturday.
The Classes IX-XII students of the Raigachi High School in Rajarhat were taught self-defence techniques; sensitised on how to identify a good touch from a bad touch and ways to counter them; and also how to resist proposals for early marriage.
“All these girls hail from financially weak backgrounds and many are often married off early for various reasons. This workshop was an attempt to help them learn how to protect themselves, physically and beyond,” said Ashok Mukherjee, a schoolteacher who had accompanied the children.
A Class XII student who attended the training said that she often gets leered at while walking to school and feels threatened. According to her, the simple self-defence techniques taught at the workshop might come in handy if the problem went beyond just leering.
“We are well aware of the problems girls and women face at every stage, on buses and even while walking somewhere. Learning how to defend oneself is of utmost importance these days,” the girl said.
The programme was organised by the Rotary Club of Salt Lake City Calcutta at Prakash Bhavan in DD block of the township.
“For many of our children, domestic violence is an everyday affair. Before marriage, they get beaten at their home and after marriage at their in-laws’,” said Mukherjee, the teacher.
The children were taught how to evade attacks and wriggle and run, if necessary.
Oindrila Guha, president of the Rotary Club of Salt Lake City Calcutta, said they will keep organising such workshops for girls.
“This is an ongoing effort. Knowing how to defend oneself is very important and these girls’ performance was quite impressive during the training session,” said Guha.