In Zimbabwe, Taekwondo Empowers Girls and Women

(Mar. 8, 2022)

Zimbabwean Taekwondo Trainer Natsiraishe Maritsa has made headlines around the world for how she has used Taekwondo in her local community to empower girls and young women. Her selfless efforts were recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as she was awarded the Winner for Africa at the IOC Women and Sport Awards last month.

Maritsa reckons Taekwondo can continue to help #BreakTheBias.

“Taekwondo helps to empower women and girls in my community by instilling self-belief and the ability to set goals,” Maritsa said. “Self-belief enables women and girls to have a positive perception in whatever they seek to achieve, and the ability to set goals instils confidence in them to pursue various programs in life, hence empowering women and girls.”

She continued, “The benefits of women and girls practicing Taekwondo is that they will learn to endure pain in Taekwondo and persevere, which can also be applied in life when they face difficult situations. Taekwondo instils an indomitable spirit in women which assists them when they set goals in the sense that they will not be undermined or pulled down by negative influence from other people or by lack of resources to implement and fulfil their goals.”

For Maritsa, Taekwondo is also about breaking down barriers in how women and girls are perceived. This year International Women’s Day looks at how we can create a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, and Maritsa believes Taekwondo can support with that.

“Taekwondo can help break down barriers around how women and girls are perceived, Taekwondo can be proof that women and girls are capable of doing what men and boys can do,” she said. “Females practicing Taekwondo and obtaining awards and higher-grade belts can be recognized as equal to the males since they will be achieving great things through Taekwondo.”

One of those great things Maritsa has done is raise awareness on key issues, such as the downsides and dangers of child marriage in Zimbabwe.

“Taekwondo and other sports generally help to raise awareness about key issues,” she said.” What I learnt is sport is not just all about physical effort and winning awards but there are certain qualities that are in sport that assist in raising awareness about key issues such as courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.”