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A violent assault by would-be robbers impressed Bolivian Lidia Mayta to take up the martial artwork of taekwondo. Three years later, she helps prepare different indigenous ladies to defend themselves in opposition to rampant gender-based violence within the South American nation.
Maita says she would have been useless if her neighbors had not come out of their houses to scare away the attackers who had been strangling her outdoors the entrance door whereas they had been attempting to steal her pockets.
After the assault, she vowed that she would by no means really feel so helpless once more.
She joined a women-only strolling class on the Heat Energy Taekwondo studio in El Alto, Bolivia's second metropolis. Warmi means “lady” within the native Quechua language.
His enthusiasm was such that the founders quickly requested him to affix the coaching group, particularly to assist translate directions into Aymara, one other indigenous language of Bolivia.
“I didn't know easy methods to defend myself, now I attempt to assist different ladies overcome that worry,” mentioned the 56-year-old shopkeeper and neighborhood well being secretary.
“That is violence prevention work.”
Authorities information reveals that eight out of 10 ladies and ladies in Bolivia expertise bodily violence no less than as soon as of their lives.
“It is a violent nation for girls,” mentioned Lucia Vargas of the rights advocacy group Coordinadora de la Mujer, or Girls's Coordinator.
Greater than 51,000 ladies reported being victims of violence in 2023. Typically the husband or associate was the perpetrator.
Warmy Energy was launched in 2015 by Laura Roca and Kimberly Nosa – each Taekwondo black belts.
“Violence can’t be solved by violence, however studying to defend ourselves can save our lives,” mentioned Nosa, who has been working towards martial arts for 18 years.
Roca, a skilled psychologist, mentioned she took up the self-discipline regardless of her father's insistence that it was a person's prerogative.
Collectively they’ve skilled greater than 35,000 ladies throughout the nation.
In El Alto's class, most girls are indigenous and engaged in casual commerce.