Self-defense trainers in demand for MNC staff

[1]

Hyderabad: The Mumbai gangrape incident has once again brought into focus, women’s security. The incident has pushed corporates and MNC managements into summoning self-defense trainers to conduct workshops to give practical, easy tips to disable assailants.
Erratic working hours, pressure to perform and growing competition has engulfed women holding mainstream jobs but protection from unruly elements is still a problem. Self-defence techniques need to be practiced by women over a period of time, which will make them alert and aware of their surroundings.
In the city, most women opt for shared cabs, shared autos. Areas which are deserted, like the Gachibowli stretch, Hi-tech areas, defence areas near Mehdipatnam and Secunderabad, Langar Houz Road, parts adjoining Outer Ring Road and on the outskirts, should be avoided late at night.
Dr S. Padmaja, psychologist, feels that women in India are highly dependent on their male partners for protection. “This has been our notion for generations and we have continued to accept it as a medium of protection. An escort can help to deter but not necessarily protect as it can’t be accepted that they are physically strong. For those who work odd hours, a method or mechanism to devise their own security will go a long way,” she said.
Farzan Merchant, self-defence trainer says, “Women need to build a lot of self-confidence. They often believe and assume that they are weak, which is wrong. We are not going to train them to beat every man in town but simple techniques that will allow them to disable the attacker and give them enough time to escape.”
Javed Sheikh, another fitness trainer, says, “We have a large chunk of women who travel to and from their place of work. They need to be alert and have presence of mind surroundings. If they suspect that something is wrong, they must be quick to act and look at means for escape rather than walking into a trap.”
The most important thing, feel trainers, is the ability to surprise an attacker. “Most assailants are taken aback when a women strikes back. Those few seconds are the best escape time for a woman and that can be done if she practices basic tips which will go a long way in protecting them from such horrible crimes,” said Merchant.