THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a proactive step to enhance the safety of female employees, the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) has announced mandatory self-defense training for its female staff. This initiative, set to launch on December 1, is supported by the Kerala Police and aims to address the rising incidents of workplace harassment against women.

According to an official circular issued by BEVCO, female employees working in retail outlets, warehouses, and regional manager offices across the state are expected to participate in the training. District Audit Team (DAT) Managers, who serve as Nodal Officers, have been instructed to compile the names of eligible female employees in each district by 5 PM today.

The self-defense classes will be conducted by the Women’s Self-Defense Team, a division of the Janamaitri Police that has been providing training since 2015 to prevent workplace violence. Four specially trained female police officers, each skilled in martial arts, will oversee the training sessions in each district, coordinated by the respective Additional Superintendents of Police (ASPs).

To ensure participation, BEVCO is offering a compensatory off for those attending the inaugural session. While attendance is compulsory, employees with physical disabilities will have the option to observe the training sessions instead.