24 December 2010 Last updated at 15:35

In pictures: Harassed Bangladeshi women turn to karate

Students at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Women's College learn karate

Female students at a college in central Bangladesh are being offered a new way to deal with sexual harassment - karate. (Words and pictures by Anbarasan Ethirajan).

Such harassment - known as Eve teasing - has become chronic in recent months. More than 20 women are thought to have committed suicide this year because of being stalked or verbally abused.

Karate trainers at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Women's College

Instructor Maliha Tanjina Sharmin (right) holds a black belt in karate. She says karate helps boost confidence and mental strength: "Anyone who stalks one of my students had better beware."

Student Ruhana Shiraji Poly (left) says karate will let her stand up to abusive men. "Sometimes they follow us, so we are scared. We'll not only defend ourselves, but protect other girls as well."

Karate teacher at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Women's College

Classes last for about 30 minutes and are held twice a day. Teachers say students are taught not to pull their punches.

Karate class at the Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Women's College

The education minister recently said that female students and teachers were not safe on the streets. In some cases exams have been delayed because of male stalkers.

Students in Dhaka would like to learn karate too. Nusrat Jahan says: "Anything that puts women in a better position to protect themselves and be safe on the streets must be a good thing."

Sayem Ahmed, a university student in Dhaka, agrees: "It may make a difference because many sexually harassed girls cannot get protection from their own families or the police."

South Asia

In pictures: Harassed Bangladeshi women turn to karate

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