The
brutal gang rape and murder of a young girl in Delhi has brought worldwide
attention to an issue that has plagued India for years - the oppression and
gross mistreatment of women in the country.
In
India, girls are forced to battle for their fundamental right to live, from the
day they are born. Because of social stigma, women in India are often
considered inferior and suffer torment and persecution for no reason other than
their gender. From a young age, most local women are taught about the dangers
they will inevitably face during their lives. Unfortunately, being aware is no
longer enough.
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| Anand Koti teaching self-defense |
While
it is by no means an altogether solution for the terrible issue of violence
against women, providing Indian women with self-defense training is a great
step forward in order to protect their basic freedoms and permit the ability to
walk through the streets unaccompanied without fear.
Colorss
Foundation, a NGO based in Baroda and Pune, is launching women’s self-defense
classes to empower the women of India and provide the skills to remain calm and
fight back against attackers, if this is ever required. If there is one thing
that the December 16 attack has achieved, it is in spreading the reality that
no one is safe from these types of assaults. Every woman in India, through no
fault of her own, is a potential victim.
Colorss’
self-defense classes are for working women, university students and children,
with no prior experience necessary. The classes are designed to take part 2-3
times a week, with groups of 10-15 participants in Pune. The classes may take
place at your personal residence with a group of 10-15 participants, for the
convenience of participants.
Anand
Koti, the foundation’s director, will be conducting the classes. Anand has been
practicing martial arts for over 15 years and has a 2nd degree black
belt in Karate, which demonstrates his commitment and discipline. In addition,
Anand also possesses an undergraduate degree in Industrial Psychology and
Masters degrees in Health Management and Industrial Relations and Personnel
Management.
This
unique combination of education and passion for martial arts has provided Anand
with the perfect blend of skills to successfully pass his knowledge on to
students. Under Anand’s supervision, many children from the Pune region have
already benefited from Project Enhance, another initiative of the Colorss
Foundation. Project Enhance involved providing underprivileged children of the
region with martial arts and creative arts classes. The results of Project
Enhance have been overwhelmingly positive. In addition to building the physical
strength and stamina of the participants, Project Enhance also boosted their
self-esteem and confidence.
While
the most obvious benefit of these self-defense classes is the ability to defend
yourself against an attacker, there are also numerous peripheral benefits, such
as increased confidence and mental development. At Colorss, we strive to give
women the physical and mental strength to surpass any challenges.
According
to the National Crime Records Bureau, there were 24,206 cases of rape
registered in India during 2011, but this is suspected to be a major
under-representation of the true figure and of the problem at hand.
The
worst reaction from this case would be for women to remain indoors, further
restrict their activities and escalate the oppression they already face on a
daily basis. This should be used as an opportunity to empower the women of
India – for them to stand up and assert themselves.
It
is in the hands of the government to make a legitimate stance on the issue of
violence towards women and make widespread changes throughout the country;
however, basic self-defense is a great step forward for the women on India.
It
is our goal to empower the women of India to have the confidence to live
completely fulfilling lives.
Contact
Colorss for more information on self-defense
training. You can email us at: emailcolorss@gmail.com and find us on Facebook.
Paul
Whelan
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