El Alto, Bolivia – In response to a violent attack that almost cost her life, Lidia Mayta found solace and empowerment through the practice of taekwondo. Now, three years later, she is on a mission to train other Indigenous women in Bolivia to defend themselves against the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in the country.
Following an incident where neighbors intervened to save her from robbers attempting to steal her wallet, Mayta made a vow to never feel helpless again. She sought refuge in a women-only class at the Warmi Power taekwondo studio in El Alto, Bolivia’s second-largest city. The studio’s name, “Warmi,” translates to “woman” in the Quechua language, embodying the empowerment of women in the community.
As Mayta’s passion for taekwondo grew, the founders of the studio recognized her potential and invited her to join the training team. She now plays a crucial role in translating instructions into Aymara, another of Bolivia’s indigenous languages, ensuring that women from diverse backgrounds can benefit from the program.
“I didn’t know how to defend myself before, but now I strive to help other women overcome that fear,” shared Mayta, a 56-year-old shopkeeper and community health secretary. She views her role in training women as a form of violence prevention, crucial in a country where government data reveals that eight out of 10 women and girls experience physical violence at least once in their lives.
According to Lucia Vargas of Coordinadora de la Mujer, a women’s advocacy group, Bolivia remains a challenging environment for women, with over 51,000 cases of violence reported in 2023, predominantly perpetrated by husbands or partners. In response to these alarming statistics, Laura Roca and Kimberly Nosa, both accomplished taekwondo black belts, established Warmi Power in 2015.
Roca, a trained psychologist, defied societal stereotypes to embrace taekwondo, a discipline traditionally associated with men. Together, Roca and Nosa have impacted the lives of more than 35,000 women nationwide through their taekwondo training programs. The classes in El Alto attract a predominantly Indigenous female demographic engaged in informal trade, highlighting the intersectionality of gender-based violence and economic empowerment in Bolivia.
Through their dedication and expertise, Roca and Nosa advocate that while violence is not the solution, learning self-defense skills can be a life-saving tool for women facing threats in their communities. The work of Mayta, Roca, Nosa, and the entire Warmi Power team embodies resilience, empowerment, and solidarity in the battle against gender-based violence in Bolivia.