12:00 AM, November 21, 2017
The mere act of going to school is a struggle for many girls across Bangladesh. Catcalls, lurid remarks and eve teasing are all too common. This curtails their desire to continue studies while guardians fear for the security of their daughters.
“We just want to go to school without being teased,” said Falguni Khatun, a grade seven student at Barobazar Secondary Girls School at Jhenidah.
Researchers have pointed out that eve-teasing is one of the reasons for the high rates of school drop-out among girls, along with having many other negative effects.
Apart from the mental toll eve-teasing brings, there is also a chance of physical harm. Rebuked, the perpetrators can turn aggressive.
Although the girls understand that changing the perpetrators' mentalities overnight is impossible, they have found a way to boost their own sense of security.
It was the vision of Bangladeshi expatriate in South Korea Sukanto Kumar Biswas and three of his friends to make the change.
“Why should our girls be deprived of an education for eve teasing? It is our duty to do something to change this situation,” said Sukanto, over the phone.
Sukanto's friend -- Black Belt Certified Mosharraf Karim -- is training these girls, with the assistance of Kamruzzaman Tushar and Anup Kumar Biwas.
Sukanto sends Tk 10,000 a month to help fund the training at Barobazar Secondary Girls School school. The trainer receives Tk 6,000 directly in his bKash account as remuneration, while the rest Tk 4,000 accounts for breakfast bills for all three of his friends.
“I am determined to not let anything come in the way on my education. These self defence classes give me the confidence to go on,” said Falguni, who was a victim of stalking recently.
Last year, 30 girls from the school completed the white-belt programme.
The trainer and assistants gave a presentation in front of all the students of the school last month, explaining the benefits of being qualified in martial arts and self defence. After the presentation, about 40 students have already enrolled in a 3-month course. There are a total of 4 levels to complete the entire course over a year.
The training takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays inside the school campus from 7:00am till 8.30am, before regular classes begin.
Sumana Yasmin of class nine said, “It is a common scene to see groups of rowdy boys leaning against walls in the alleys, smirking and swearing at girls passing by. Ever since I started training, I am more self-assured.”
“It was my dream to learn martial arts ever since I was a child. My dreams have finally come true and I look forward to the training,” said Swapna Dutta, a student of class seven.
Girls of the Barobazar Secondary Girls School are trained under the slogan -- Amora Naree, Amorao Pari. Rukhbo Bhoy, Korbo joy.
Hafizur Rahman, a guardian at the school, said, “We expect our girls to continue their education and contribute to our country. But eve teasing hinders their will to do so. This is a great initiative to save them from imminent danger.”
Anup Kumar Biswas, the school's assistant headmaster, said they are assisting the girls on behalf of the school to impart the training. “More such benevolent people should come forward for the development of the girls and make a positive change in society.”