A two-day training course organized by the Somali government and African Union for women on how to protect themselves from rapists has been concluded in Mogadishu, CEOAFRICA.com gathered.

This was part of measures taken by the government in protecting women against incessant rape in towns and camps for internally displaced persons.

According to the organizers, the training focused on 20 women working with women's organizations and displaced persons camps in central Somalia.

Somali government soldiers and militia groups have been accused of committing widespread abuses, including rape.

Also, Mane Ahmed, African Union Mission for Somalia Gender Officer, stressed the importance of the training.

“We also need to think of security of women in Mogadishu and in all other regions and to give them skills to defend themselves with some basic skills, and also giving them confidence they will be able to defend themselves, they will be able to defend their sisters. And men will also know that they cannot now just try to rape or attack a woman,” she explained.

The training course teaches women how to be alert and how to defend themselves when attacked, through methods such as martial arts kicking or a punch to the groin.

Furthermore, Ahmed said, “If you cannot have guns, if you cannot have weapons, please give us the skills to defend ourselves,' so this is coming from them. They (The women) believe in themselves, they believe that if they know how to defend themselves they will be able to secure their family, and to secure their environment and to remain safe.”

The organizers expect the 20 women to go back to their organizations and IDP camps to pass on the lessons and training as an important step to protect women from sexual attacks.