El Alto, Bolivia – Following a terrifying assault that nearly cost her life, Bolivian Lidia Mayta found solace and empowerment through the practice of taekwondo. Now, three years later, she plays a vital role in training Indigenous women in self-defense techniques to combat the prevalent gender-based violence in Bolivia. The incident that sparked Mayta’s journey into taekwondo involved would-be robbers who attacked her outside her home, threatening her life in an attempt to steal her wallet. It was only through the intervention of brave neighbors that the assailants were scared off, sparing Mayta’s life.
Determined never to feel as defenseless again, Mayta sought refuge in a woman-only taekwondo class at the Warmi Power studio in El Alto, Bolivia’s second-largest city. Translating instructions into the Aymara language, one of Bolivia’s indigenous tongues, Mayta quickly became an essential member of the training team. She reflects on her growth from a place of vulnerability to that of empowerment, stating her newfound mission as helping other women overcome their fears and prevent violence in their lives.
Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue in Bolivia, with government data revealing that eight out of 10 women and girls experience physical violence at least once in their lifetime. In response to this alarming statistic, organizations like Warmi Power have emerged to provide a safe space for women to learn self-defense and cultivate inner strength. Founded by taekwondo black belts Laura Roca and Kimberly Nosa in 2015, Warmi Power has since trained over 35,000 women across the country.
For Nosa, who has dedicated 18 years to practicing taekwondo, the essence of self-defense lies not in perpetuating violence but in equipping women with the skills to protect themselves. Roca, a trained psychologist, challenges societal norms by embracing taekwondo despite her father’s initial reservations that it was a male-dominated discipline. Together, their efforts have empowered Indigenous women engaged in informal trade in El Alto to reclaim their sense of agency and safety.
As the fight against gender-based violence continues in Bolivia, the work of individuals like Lidia Mayta, Laura Roca, and Kimberly Nosa stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of women in confronting and combatting systemic injustices. Through the practice of taekwondo and the support of community-based initiatives like Warmi Power, women are not only learning to defend themselves physically but also reclaiming their autonomy and dignity in a society marked by pervasive violence.