More women learn martial arts

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)