Mixed martial arts (MMA) is being taught to women in Pakistan to help them defend themselves against sexual harassment.
The gym, Fight Fortress, in Islamabad, claims it is the first in the country to train men and women together, according to an interview in BBC News.
Fighter Malika-e-Noor said: “This is the 21st Century. Women are out of their houses and in the offices… but they face harassment. Everyone in the gym, especially the men, are so supportive because they know the reason we are here. They give us a tough time so we can go out and face the real situations.”
The women are being taught MMA, which is a full contact combat sport.
MMA trainer Ehtisham Kareem Shaheen says this is the first gym in the country that started offering training to men and women in mixed martial arts at the same time.
“There are no separate classes for girls here, This is the 21st century, and women do face problems like sexual harassment from their seniors, their colleagues and others. So they are taking up MMA because it gives them confidence for self-defence,” he added.
The game is gaining popularity in urban areas and the fan following around famous fighters in the country has increased compared to a lot of other sports.
Race, colour, religion, gender or orientation, these things do not matter on the mat, Shaheen noted.
