Strike stalkers

Any young man, or even an older one, who fancies himself a womaniser is hereby put on notice: harass any young girl in Lalmonirhat and you might just get more than you bargained for.

"If any stalker thinks he can harass me or the other girls," says schoolgirl Bipasha Khatun of Barabari village of Lalmonirhat, "I must use my karate. Our karate training will ensure a successful journey into the future."

"The local troublemakers know about my karate training," says Champa Akter from remote Mogolhat village, "In the past, I often would have to deal with stalkers on my way to school. Now they don't even dare."

Alongside 18 other girls from various villages across Lalmonirhat, Bipasha and Champa arrive at the hall room of the district stadium with enthusiasm. Arranged by Rupantar, a local NGO, and funded by Plan International Bangladesh, karate training aims to empower women by teaching them basic self-defence skills.

"I am learning karate to gain confidence and to be able to stand against crimes like stalking," says Sumi Akhter of Mostafi village. "Having learnt karate, I face no problem to go to school or return home. The training is a must for all girls because when we know karate, we know we can take care of ourselves."

Course trainer Fency Akhter, an undergraduate student of Harati village, is well satisfied to train these young women. "I learnt karate from last year myself," she says, "and I'm really pleased to have been recruited as a trainer for the others."

According to Rupantar officials, the 20 girls, all students, are from different areas of the district, especially from remote villages, and will receive 24 days' karate training every year under their Girl Power Project.

"Karate builds both mental and physical strength," says the project's technical officer Rumi Begum. "Once trained, the girls can lead better lives, free from the fear of harassment and insecurity."

Indeed, the project's benefits extend beyond the girls themselves. "We feel much more comfortable now," says one of their guardians, Delowar Hossain. "Our daughter knows how to protect herself from any incident and it means we worry less when she goes to school alone now."

"The karate training is invaluable," agrees Shafiqul Islam, a teacher at Fulgachh High School in the town. "I always encourage the girls because of karate's potential to save them from harm."

These girls are now bad news for stalkers in Lalmonirhat, the guardians said.