Saturday, Nov 03, 2012
PETALING JAYA - A series of self-defence classes and workshops is planned nationwide to equip women with skills to defend themselves.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Heng Seai Kie said the workshops, which started yesterday, were an initiative under the second phase of the National Key Results Area (NKRA) to fight crime.
"Women will be taught how to defend themselves in threatening situations. According to statistics, there have been 26,902 cases involving women reported since 2007.
"Most of the cases involve incest, rape, molest and domestic violence.
"This shows that women are still a prime target for crime and more should be done to ensure their safety," said Heng at the launch of the first workshop which was attended by over 30 participants.
Twenty others will be conducted nationwide in the coming months.
The workshop was jointly organised by the ministry, Persatuan Suara Wanita Selangor & Kuala Lumpur and the Petaling Jaya police department.
It was sponsored by Sime Darby and Redberry Sdn Bhd.
The workshop was conducted by experts from the police force, Rela, Rukun Tetangga, Code Red Academy, BG Holdings and All Women's Action Society (AWAM).
Heng also said other initiatives would be launched by the ministry to advocate safety at the grassroots.
"We will be having more dialogue sessions between community members and their respective district police and Rukun Tetangga chiefs to ensure better ties," she added.
