Training women in martial arts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Khamarunnisa Anwar, who assumed office as chairperson of the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation for a second time after a gap of five years on Monday,  has suggested that women should equip themselves to ward off any attack by eve-teasers during journeys.“My request to women and girls is to carry some chilly powder with them in a matchbox or a small bottle during bus journeys. It will equip you to combat eve-teasers very easily,’’  she said at a press conference here on Monday.Moreover, the corporation is planning to provide training to women in martial arts,  including karate.  She said the corporation would formulate projects to provide employment to 10,000 young women.  Women contact programmes will be held in all the districts.A service-oriented portal exclusively meant for women will be launched on March 8, the World Women’s Day. The portal would give emphasis to education, finance, employment and health sectors. Women development clubs in colleges and schools, marketing fairs for women entrepreneur projects, training in hospitality management and proper utilisation of Central funds for women empowerment are the other projects envisaged in the one year action programme of the corporation. She said if Kudumbasree units approached the corporation seeking aid it would be considered positively.