Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Program Empowers Women and Girls in Beirut Refugee Camp
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A two-month Brazilian jiu jitsu course for women and girls has concluded in Bourj el Barajneh refugee camp in South Beirut, led by Lebanese-Canadian instructor Mirella Atallah. The program, which included Palestinian refugees and Syrian sisters, is part of Atallah's work providing free self-defense classes to vulnerable communities globally. These classes aim to offer empowerment and skill-building in challenging environments.
Facts First
- A Brazilian jiu jitsu course for women and girls recently ended in Bourj el Barajneh refugee camp.
- Instructor Mirella Atallah is the first Lebanese woman to attain a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt.
- The class included 16 participants, among them Palestinian refugees and Syrian sisters.
- Atallah has taught approximately 1,500 women and girls globally, including in Syria and Pakistan this year.
- She works with NGOs to provide free classes for migrant workers, women in refugee camps, and the LGBT community.
What Happened
A two-month Brazilian jiu jitsu course for women and girls, led by instructor Mirella Atallah, has concluded in a makeshift gym in the Bourj el Barajneh refugee camp in South Beirut. The class consisted of 16 participants, including Palestinian refugees and Syrian sisters named Rim, Rama, and Chahed. Atallah... works with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide these free classes.
Why this Matters to You
This story highlights how community-based programs can provide practical skills and a sense of agency in difficult circumstances. For participants like Aisha Saqqa, a 18-year-old business management student, or Fatima Mohammad, a 21-year-old substitute teacher and graphic designer, learning self-defense may offer increased confidence and personal security. The program's existence suggests that similar empowerment initiatives could be accessible in other communities facing hardship.
What's Next
Atallah's work appears likely to continue; she has taught approximately 1,500 women and girls globally this year, including in Syria and Pakistan. The free classes she provides through NGOs for migrant workers, women in refugee camps, and the LGBT community may expand to other locations. Participants like Malak, who plans to attend technical school, and Ola and her daughter Hadeel, who both take the classes, will carry the skills they learned forward into their daily lives.