Mangaluru: ‘Sthri Shakti’ a Self Defence Technique workshop and a talk for women was organized by the students of the Department of Mass Communication, St Aloysius College, Mangaluru on 31 March 2015. This awareness program was conducted in association with the Mangalore based NGO, Centre for Integrated Learning (CIL) & Institute of Karate & Allied Arts.

Asha Nayak, Advocate & Notary, Former Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee – addressing the gathering gave an insight on the various legal acts and aspects of the judicial system of India and how the security of women at domestic and professional level is being taken seriously after 67 years of independence.

Are women really safe in India? This  question was posed tot the audience by Sacitha Nadagopal, Executive Director, Center for Integrated Learning as she began her enlightening speech on the safety and security of women in India, and she left the audience to ponder over this profound question. She emphasized that the reason that women are insecure in the country is because of our society, the moment we focus on the downtrodden and not only the elite, women empowerment is truly the need of the hour in our patriarchal society, she added.

The demonstration performed by Institute of Karate & Allied Arts led by Gladwin Fernandes and team was the highlight of the event. It kept the audience on the edge of their seat as they witnessed the various steps that one can take to defend themselves, it was an extremely interactive session as volunteers from the audience also got a chance to try out some of the self defence moves.

The department of Mass Communication of St Aloysius College Mangaluru has been supportive of womens empowerment and has been exhibiting their active participation in women related issues. Exhibiting their concern in regard to the  multiple incidents that happened in Mangaluru,  the first year students of the Mass Communication stream, conducted a street play ‘Nirbhayatva’.