Permanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) Dr Cedric Alependava is supporting the Self Defence and Self Protection seminars currently underway in Honiara during the 16 Days of Activism.
Dr Alependava uttered this in an interview with Star Sports when facilitator of the seminars Master John Gill started the program this week in Honiara.
“Basically this martial arts training for girls is very important because this week Prince of Wales has already launched the 16 Days of Activism,” he said,
“The Activism is the International campaign against Gender Based violence,” he said.
“Basically this campaign is for us to work together to try and reduce the high incidents of violence against women and girls in this country,” he said.
“One out of every three women experienced violence; it’s around 64% in the country, either through physical or sexual violence.
“So martial art is one of the key aspect that can help our women and girls to be able to defend them self when men come to attack or harass them.
“So when a man comes to attack them, woman can defend herself and run away.
“Not necessarily fight back but defend and run away to safety,” the PS insists.
PS Alependava also added, it will also help our women and girls to be fit and healthy at the same time people will respect them.
“Not only that but when ladies get into this sort of sport it make them fit and healthy at the same time people will respect them because of the art they play and the self defence they know will certainly help to reduce violence in the country which we are experiencing.
“Therefore I highly recommend that our young girls must enter into self defence or martial art,” he said.
He said martial art is not to fight and destroy another person but basically to keep you fit and healthy, respect your opposite sex and reduce your stress.
“Therefore I recommend a lot of girls to take up self defence or into martial art,” he said.
By CROFTON UTUKANA