So I'm surrounded by some unfriendly males who mean me no good, how am I suppose to run away and save my life in a big baggy skirt? Am I allowed to take the skirt off and run, in order to save my life? Should'nt jewish women be taught martial arts?

Yes and yes.

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oh kay...thanks for the answers

Kaitlin,

I think not only Jewish women, but Jewish men too should be taught martial arts. In fact, Some yeshivoth in Safed are beginning to insititute a karate program for their students: it trains the body and teaches discipline, but it also ensures the person is more confident in a situation like the one you described.

That said, the best way to win a confrontation is to avoid it. I agree, a skirt will not do you much good in a fight-or-flight situation, even if you have a black belt in martial arts, no matter whether you decide to run or to fight them off, unless you have a big gun

a big gun? that may not necessarily help either....

this is true, perhaps the issue here is ensuring that people are equiped with the skills and confidence in themselves to make the right decision, if faced with a difficult situation.

Certainly, not placing oneself in a situation where you are alone is one solution, but i guess the torah already covers this...

And the Torah says that one's life is important enough to protect.