First Women's Self-Defense Studio In Middle East

“Throughout my childhood, I have been harassed and bullied, and I always wondered ‘why do we have to accept this violence, just because we are women?’"

In 2010 Lina Khalifeh learned that her university friend had been repetitively abused, just as many other women she knew and loved. Unable to stay still against this issue she opened in her basement a little defense studio. At the time it counted with no more than two clients. However, empowered by her purpose she did nothing more than promoting herself in schools, restaurants, knocking door to door, absolutely everywhere. Four years later she inaugurated SheFighter, the first women's self-defense studio in the Middle East, which trains 5,000 females aged between 4 and 75 years old with help of 15 martial arts professionals.

All of the women she receives in her studio are aided with a psychological program to help them overcome their traumas, gain confidence and break harmful patterns.

“You are lying if you say there is no violence in society; there is and always will be. So, when you encounter violence, you should be able to defend yourself.”