Bengal schools may have self-defence classes for girls

West Bengal is considering a proposal to make judo and karate lessons for girls a part of physical training classes in state-run schools, a minister said Friday.

"I have submitted a proposal to the education minister to include self-defence classes for girls starting from the fifth standard. This will make women self-sufficient and enable them to defend themselves," Minister for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Sabitri Mitra told IANS.

"We have been progressively working for the betterment of women in our state. This is one of the first steps to ensure they are well-protected," she said, referring to the brutal Dec 16 Delhi gang-rape.

"Laws should be made stricter and strengthened immediately. All the proposals and recommendations that have been submitted for the protection of women should be executed without further delay as crime against women are on the rise," she said.