Elderly Women In Kenya Taking Self Defence Classes

Elderly women in Korogocho, Kenya  are sick and tired of the numerous stories of rape against their peers. So these feisty mamas have decided to take matters into their own hands. To combat the violence, an elderly Kenyan woman has decided to teach willing women techniques of how to combat a rapist in case of an attack. A two-finger poke to the eyes, a punch to the solar plexus, a kick to the groin, then turn and run, the instructor commands. You go girl! Now this is what I’m talking about! Najivunia kuwa mkenya kweli 🙂 Read on for more…

“When we hit the pad with an open palm we are training to target the nose, the solar plexus or the groin to hurt an attacker so that it can give you a chance to escape. Shouting ‘no’ repetitively is meant to draw the attention of people so that they can assist you,” Wangui states, who has been training for almost two years.

Ten elderly women have been raped and killed in the last two years in Korogocho and one hospital in Nairobi reports treating more than 437 rape victims older than 60 last year.  Many other rapes are believed to have taken place but not reported.

“One of the causes of elderly rape is a belief by criminals that intercourse with elderly women can cure them of AIDS. Others think that raping an elderly woman will cleanse their sins after committing crimes, Kariuki said. “Although there are a slew of victims, no suspects have been arrested.

Elizabeth Olwenya is a grandmother to four children under the age of 5 who were orphaned after two of Olwenya’s daughters died of AIDS. The 55-year-old Olwenya was one of the first to take the self-defense classes three years ago, and said the skills she learned help protect her grandchildren.

“The life here is not good,” Olwenya states.   “People here can rape you and even your child.”

80-year-old Julia Karinge, said she has been raped twice and feels that no matter the measures, the vicious attacks will continue.

“I did not resist either time because I did not want to die. They killed a friend of mine and dumped her body outside my house,” said Karinge, who is not taking the defense classes.

No arrests were made, though she reported the crime to police and could identify her attacker. Source

 

I feel sorry for Julia Karinge. As a victim she now feels powerless to attempt to protect herself. How can someone rape an 80 year old woman???

Kudos to all the women with the strength to fight for themselves and for their children 🙂 Wangui is a Kenyan hero for giving these women the courage and skills to protect themselves.