By Lokendra Joshi, Darchula, Apr. 13: Following the rise in violence and sexual abuse against women and girls, the local levels in Darchula have taken the initiative to provide self-defense training to girls.

Trainer Kalpana Pal said that the training was being held at various schools in order to teach young girls and teenagers to defend themselves if they face any kind of sexual abuse.

According to Pal, the self-defense training was being provided to girls in six schools of Mahakali Municipality and Malikarjun Rural Municipality in coordination with Community Rural Development Society Nepal and Prahar Samaj Jagruti Sanstha with the technical support of Good Neighbours.

Student leader Pal, who also hails from Darchula, is currently conducting a self-defense course for girls at the district level. She had received the training in Dhangadhi.

 The training is held for two days in each school. "Around 13 ways of defending those who try to hold hands, hug from the back or pull hair with bad intention or try to rape or do any kind of sexual abuse and 16 ways of saving oneself is being taught in the training," said Pal.

Similarly, various techniques like striking the attacker in the eyes, face, body, and vulnerable organs are taught, she added.

The participation of teenagers and girls in the training is enthusiastic. Until now, over 200 girls from three schools have participated in the training.  

Student Manju Dhami of Malikarjun Secondary School said, "The training taught us various tactics to deter the attacker while they attempt to rape or sexually abuse us." She added that the training had also increased her willpower.

Likewise, Laxmi Dhami, another student, said that self-defense training was mandatory to learn for all girls.

According to the District Police Office, Darchula, two cases of rape were reported in the last month where the survivors were teenagers.

Photos: