A rape or a case of child abuse no more sounds shocking in Meghalaya where sexual harassment of women has become a norm. According to the data of the National Crime Research Bureau, Meghalaya had recorded 6.8 per cent crime against women in 2015 that shot up to 13.8 per cent in 2016. There were over 80 cases of outraging of modesty and sexual harassment in 2016. And these statistics are only considering the reported cases. Many cases go unreported due to various reasons.
With piled up files and lack of fast track courts for trying POCSO cases, the conviction rate is also abysmally less giving little hope for justice. The situation is yet to turn as bad as the mainland but taking into account the size of the state and its population, Meghalaya can give any notorious northern state a tough competition. So it is time that women here take the responsibility of their own safety.
This spurt in cases of sexual harassment has prompted West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Arunkumar Kembhavi to take a cue from the Delhi Police model of awareness and empowerment and organise a self-defence programme for adolescent girls and young women in the district.
Kembhavi, known among peers as a prolific official, wrote on a Facebook post, “Crimes against women are rising day by day in West Khasi Hills district as in other parts of the country. WKH has one of the highest numbers of POCSO cases, in fact the POCSO cases have risen exponentially in the last 3 years. To make our girls and women physically stronger and instill a sense of confidence, self reliance in them and as a personality development tool, for the first time we are starting a month-long comprehensive self defence training under District Sports Promotion Society.”
“Police cannot be everywhere nor can there be guardians accompanying girls all the time. This initiative is aimed as deterrent towards any eve teasing, hooliganism, indecent behaviour or public nuisance on the road and to deal with any eventuality,” the post further read.
The session, funded by the District Sports Promotion Society, will be in collaboration with the District Sports office.
PB War Nongbri, the district sports officer, said this was the first time that his office is organising such a programme. In fact, the West Khasi Hills district administration becomes the first in the state to take up the issue seriously and act on it.
The district administration is expecting 50-100 participants who will be trained in batches by Karate black belt Linza F Syiem (in picture above). Police personnel from 4th MLP battalion will assist in training. The office of the Superintendent of Police and the office of the Civil Defence will also join hands. The training will start from April 2 at Nongstoin Indoor Stadium. The last date for enrolment is March 29.
Though there is no age restriction the District Sports Promotion Society will screen the applications and select suitable trainees. Asked how frequently such training sessions will be organised, the deputy commissioner said it depends on funds but if well-received “we will organise it in a bigger way next year”.
Talking to Sunday Shillong, Syiem said self-defence training should start at a young age so that with time, their confidence also develops along with their skills and strength. “I would suggest 10 to 12 years of age,” said the trainer who had experience of training school students in Shillong.
On how relevant the training is for women, Syiem said this prepares one for unexpected situations.
“Most people do not want to think about the reality of human violence and crimes like rape, theft, domestic violence etc. But these things keep happening everyday and we read about it and see it in the news. Being able to know how to defend yourselves or your family members it makes it easier to stay safe,” said the 4th Dan Black Belt who was trained under Stephan Leong, the founder of All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association.
The trainer said many parents had approached her in the past to train their daughters before they moved out of the state for higher studies. “I am happy that I could contribute to building their confidence, self-awareness and prepare them for their safety and the safety of their loved ones.”
Syiem had earlier trained students of schools and universities under the banner of the All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association.
“We had a three-month self-defence training for students from different schools in Shillong that was organised by the SSA. And there was a month-long training at North Eastern Hills University also organised by Dean, NEHU Student Welfare,” she informed.
~ NM
