EL ALTO, Bolivia – Lidia Mayta found herself drawn to the martial art of taekwondo after surviving a violent attack by would-be robbers in Bolivia. This experience led her to dedicate herself to training other Indigenous women in self-defense techniques to combat the prevalent gender-based violence in the country.
Mayta’s determination to never feel defenseless again following the attack prompted her to join a woman-only class at the Warmi Power taekwondo studio in El Alto, Bolivia’s second city. The studio, named Warmi which means “woman” in the indigenous Quechua language, was founded by Laura Roca and Kimberly Nosa, both taekwondo black belts, in 2015.
As a shopkeeper and community health secretary, Mayta now plays a crucial role in helping other women overcome their fears and learn how to defend themselves. She also assists in translating instructions into Aymara, another of Bolivia’s indigenous languages, during training sessions. The Warmi Power studio has trained over 35,000 women across the country, empowering them to protect themselves against violence.
In Bolivia, government data reveals that eight out of 10 women and girls experience physical violence at least once in their lives, with a staggering number of cases reported in 2023. The perpetrators, in the majority of instances, are husbands or partners. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for initiatives like Warmi Power to equip women with the skills and confidence to defend themselves.
According to Lucia Vargas of Coordinadora de la Mujer, a women’s rights advocacy group, Bolivia remains a country marked by pervasive violence against women. By providing women, especially Indigenous individuals engaged in informal trade, with the tools to defend themselves, organizations like Warmi Power are working towards preventing violence and fostering empowerment in the community.
Through the dedication of individuals like Mayta, who have turned adversity into action, Bolivia is gradually forging a path towards a safer and more inclusive society. The impact of initiatives like Warmi Power extends far beyond physical self-defense, instilling a sense of resilience and agency in women who have historically been vulnerable to violence.