Self-defence training for rural girls

Plan International's initiative to train schoolgirls in karate and martial arts in Bangladesh's rural areas is really admirable (TDS; March 28). In Bangladesh violence against women is on the rise. Rape, killing, stalking, acid attacks are happening every now and then. In such horrible circumstances, no NGO, as far as I know, has come up with such a novel programme in a bid to encourage women in self-defense. Girls must believe in themselves, that they are not weak, that they can defend themselves without seeking anyone's help. Plan International should operate this programme in other districts also including Dhaka. I think, besides giving karate training to the girls, the programme should include some other important lessons for rural school and college girls. Groups can be formed with girls who live in the same area. They can go to school or college together, share their problems and experiences with each other and find solutions to their problems by themselves. That way they may scare away the stalkers as the latter may not dare harass a girl when she is among other 10 to 12 girls. All the NGOs working in the country should come up with such programmes if they are really willing to help women.
Sumaiya Rashid
Dhaka