More women learn martial arts

JAKARTA (JP): More women are taking up martial arts to protect themselves.

The Indonesian Women's Congress (KOWANI) in cooperation with the city police and martial arts groups Cakra Murti and Panca Daya are offering a special training course for women based on the use of inner power.

Secretary of KOWANI's Bina Kerta foundation Yati Irwan Hadis said the idea came about following revelations that many women had been raped and assaulted during the May riots.

Women are often thought of as easy targets by criminals, she said. Citing an example, she said that a woman was recently robbed by a taxi driver who imprisoned her inside his taxi, stole her ATM cards and withdrew all her money before dumping her in unknown street far from her home, she said.

"We think there's a need for real action... talking is just not enough, it will not solve anything," Yati said. "That's why we came up with the idea of training women in the martial arts."

Training sessions are held at 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and combine physical martial arts movements with inner power. "By using inner power, women do not have to use too much energy," Yati said.

So far around 30 women have joined the training, which takes place in the judo training center at the city police headquarters on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, South Jakarta.

Each participant is required to pay Rp 75,000 for a course of 15 sessions and Rp 5,000 to register. Members can pay the fee in two installments. Those interested can contact KOWANI's secretariat on (021) 3152785 or 3152787. (ste)