As the headlines continue to scream ‘another atrocity committed’ and as women continue to be subjugated to sexual overtures, members of the so called ‘weaker sex’ have decided to tackle the menace with a strong dose of martial arts. A fact substantiated by increasing enrolments at martial arts classes. Enumerating the number of girls at his karate classes, Sensei Joseph Rodrigues, who is also the President of the traditional Karate Association of Goa, points out that while a larger percentage of female enrollees belong to the 6 to 16 age group, a sizeable number in the 18-40 year group also sign up. “Some of them join for fitness, but a majority of the girls learn karate for self defence,” he maintains. “Given the situation today, parents feel girls need to learn karate to protect themselves. I strongly recommend that schools and colleges make it mandatory to have a defence course for girls,” he suggests.
Women themselves recommend that their ilk take to some form of martial arts to fend off attacks. Having had a few unpleasant experiences, especially while travelling by bus, freelance writer Charmaine Fernandes, who just turned 40, started learning karate two years ago. “It helps you to feel safer and more confident. If you are faced with a situation, anywhere, you can tackle it. Besides it’s a great work out,”
she maintains. At 50, artist and black belt practitioner Medha Monteiro is maintaining her fitness quotient with karate, but commends
its use as an excellent self-defence tool. “Learning selfdefence automatically makes you more confident and because you have fitness, you can react much faster. If you are accosted by a group of men, you may not be able to fight them, but you can run fast because you are fit. You do not feel petrified, rather, you can raise an alarm,” she advises.
The younger generation are in agreement. With her movements restricted, 25-year old fashion designer Apurva Phadte from Chimbel found karate to be a saving grace. “I began learning karate a year and a half ago. I have become much more confident about tackling any situation and, in the bargain, fitter as well. Earlier, my parents were keen that I come home before dark. But today they are equally happy and supportive since I began learning karate,” she states.
At 19, collegian Sybyl Fernandes from Bhatulem echoes
a similar confidence. “I am a girl and if I am faced with a
situation, I know I will be able to handle it,” avers this
medal winner.
Architect Kalyan Chatim, 28, of Mapusa is shaping her
own safety and fitness with karate. “We hear of increasing
atrocities on women and Goa is not safe anymore. Karate is
one of the mediums to not only defend oneself, but develop
one’s confidence and keep fit too,” she shares.
Leading the way in self-defence, martial arts are indeed
proving a boon to many
