Women bodyguards new rage in China
18 Jan 2013 6:57 AM IST
With the number of wealthy people increasing in China, more and more young women are joining bodyguard training academies enduring tough sessions to get lucrative placements to protect the rich. Once considered a male bastion, the security guard profession is attracting a growing number of women to explore new opportunities in China’s expanding landscape of wealthy.
Registration of women has been increasing, said Chen Yongqing, drector of Tianjiao International Security Academy, which runs camps to educate and train bodyguards in Beijing. Since it was opened in 2008, the school has developed five training camps, which have attracted hundreds of applicants, including women. More than 100 people apply to join each camp, of which, about 10 per cent are women. The training fee is about 20,000 yuan (USD 3,200). Eight women were undergoing training in the camp at present.
Shen Qinjuan, an employee at China Capital Guard Security Services, said the number of female applicants has gone up in recent years and woman bodyguards may receive a high salary if they secure a job.
The demand for both male and female body guards was in the rise in China as its rich list continued to expand. According to Hurun Rich list last year, the country has about 250 billionaires with over USD one billion or more income and assets. China’s millionaires list crossed one million mark last year with 1.20 millionaires.
Zhao Yanru, 25, a woman trainee at Tianjiao said she was determined to be a bodyguard. She said intensive exercise, such as pull-ups and long-distance running were very hard to endure. ‘It’s hard, but I told myself to persist. After all, I’ve made the decision and want to strengthen my physical ability and learn teamwork awareness in emergency situations,’ she said, adding, ‘I think I can do what men can do. No one forced me. It’s my choice.’
Registration of women has been increasing, said Chen Yongqing, drector of Tianjiao International Security Academy, which runs camps to educate and train bodyguards in Beijing. Since it was opened in 2008, the school has developed five training camps, which have attracted hundreds of applicants, including women. More than 100 people apply to join each camp, of which, about 10 per cent are women. The training fee is about 20,000 yuan (USD 3,200). Eight women were undergoing training in the camp at present.
Shen Qinjuan, an employee at China Capital Guard Security Services, said the number of female applicants has gone up in recent years and woman bodyguards may receive a high salary if they secure a job.
The demand for both male and female body guards was in the rise in China as its rich list continued to expand. According to Hurun Rich list last year, the country has about 250 billionaires with over USD one billion or more income and assets. China’s millionaires list crossed one million mark last year with 1.20 millionaires.
Zhao Yanru, 25, a woman trainee at Tianjiao said she was determined to be a bodyguard. She said intensive exercise, such as pull-ups and long-distance running were very hard to endure. ‘It’s hard, but I told myself to persist. After all, I’ve made the decision and want to strengthen my physical ability and learn teamwork awareness in emergency situations,’ she said, adding, ‘I think I can do what men can do. No one forced me. It’s my choice.’
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