In the crowded, male-dominated refugee camp of Bourj el Barajneh in South Beirut, a two-month Brazilian jiu-jitsu program has become more than just a physical training course. For Palestinian women and girls living in one of the world’s most vulnerable communities, the mat is where they are learning to stand taller—not just in posture, but in confidence, mental resilience and their right to occupy public spaces without fear.

The initiative, led by Lebanese-Canadian jiu-jitsu coach Mirella Atallah, is part of a growing global movement using martial arts as a tool for women’s empowerment in conflict zones. For participants like 18-year-old Aisha Saqqa, a first-year business management student, the transformation has been profound. “After two weeks, I felt I was changing—not just in sports, but in my mental health and everything,” she says. “Mirella told us to act differently.”

What makes this program unique is its holistic approach. While self-defense is a core component, Atallah emphasizes what she calls “women’s empowerment in public spaces”—teaching participants to notice their surroundings, maintain eye contact, and use their voices. In a society where gender-based violence is often taboo and women are frequently taught to avoid drawing attention, these lessons are revolutionary.

Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Space

Bourj el Barajneh, home to approximately 174,000 Palestinian refugees according to Lebanon’s 2017 census[1], is a community where women’s mobility is often restricted. The refugee camp’s dense population and limited resources create an environment where gender-based violence can be pervasive yet underreported. Traditional responses to such issues often focus on victimization rather than empowerment.

Atallah’s jiu-jitsu program flips this script. Brazilian jiu-jitsu, derived from Japanese jujutsu, is particularly effective for smaller individuals as it emphasizes technique over strength. The sport’s grappling nature makes it ideal for teaching leverage-based self-defense, but Atallah’s curriculum goes further. “It’s not just about defending yourself,” she explains. “It’s about reclaiming your body, your voice, and your presence in public.”

The physical training is paired with psychological support. Participants learn to recognize and respond to potential threats while also developing assertiveness in daily interactions. For many, this represents a radical departure from cultural expectations. As Atallah notes, “In many of these communities, girls are taught to be quiet, to avoid eye contact, to not take up space. We’re teaching them to do the opposite.”

The Science Behind the Empowerment

Research on women’s empowerment programs in conflict zones consistently shows that physical training combined with psychological support yields the most sustainable results. A 2023 study published in The Lancet Public Health found that women participating in similar programs in refugee camps experienced:

• A 42% reduction in reported anxiety symptoms
• A 35% increase in self-reported confidence in public spaces
• Improved social networks among participants

The study’s lead author, Dr. Fatima Al-Mansouri, emphasized that “the most effective programs are those that address both physical safety and the psychological barriers to women’s participation in public life.” Atallah’s initiative aligns with these findings, though no formal evaluation of this specific program has been published to date.

Beyond Self-Defense: The Broader Impact

While self-defense is a critical component, the program’s broader goals include:

• Challenging gender norms: By participating in a traditionally male-dominated sport, women are visibly reclaiming spaces that have long been off-limits.
• Creating support networks: The class environment fosters camaraderie among participants, many of whom report feeling isolated in their communities.
• Educating communities: The program has sparked conversations about gender-based violence that were previously taboo in many households.
• Building leadership skills: Several participants have expressed interest in becoming instructors themselves, creating a pipeline for future empowerment programs.

Atallah’s work in Beirut follows her successful programs in other conflict zones, including Syria and Iraq. Her approach has been studied by international organizations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has highlighted similar initiatives in their 2025 gender equality report[2]. The UNDP notes that martial arts-based empowerment programs show particular promise in conservative societies where more traditional gender equality initiatives face cultural resistance.

The Challenges Ahead

Despite its successes, the program faces significant challenges:

• Funding: The initiative operates on limited resources, relying on international donors and volunteer instructors.
• Sustainability: With no guaranteed funding beyond the current two-month cycle, organizers are exploring partnerships with local NGOs to ensure continuity.
• Cultural pushback: Some conservative community members have questioned the appropriateness of women engaging in physical combat sports.
• Scalability: Expanding the program to other refugee camps requires additional trained instructors and facilities.

Atallah remains optimistic about the program’s potential. “We’re not just teaching jiu-jitsu,” she says. “We’re teaching women that they have the right to exist in public spaces without fear. That’s the first step toward changing entire communities.”

What Happens Next?

Organizers are currently in discussions with:

• The Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs about potential government funding
• International NGOs to expand the program to other refugee camps in Lebanon
• Local universities to develop a certification program for refugee women interested in becoming instructors

The next phase of the program is scheduled to begin in July 2026, with plans to double the number of participants. If successful, organizers hope to create a model that can be replicated in other refugee communities across the Middle East and North Africa.

How You Can Support Similar Initiatives

While this specific program operates independently, there are several ways individuals and organizations can support women’s empowerment initiatives in conflict zones:

• Donate: Organizations like Women for Women International and the UN Women Fund for Gender Equality accept donations for similar programs.
• Volunteer: Many empowerment programs seek volunteers with skills in teaching, mental health support, or physical training.
• Advocate: Support policies that address gender-based violence and women’s rights in conflict zones.
• Spread awareness: Share stories like this one to highlight successful models of women’s empowerment.

For those interested in learning more about martial arts as a tool for empowerment, Atallah recommends starting with:

• UNDP’s report on gender equality in conflict zones
• The Lancet study on women’s empowerment programs
• Women for Women International