SheFighter, the first gym in Jordan to provide specialized self-defense and martial arts training for women, was founded in 2012 and commended last year in a speech by US President Barack Obama.

Founder Lina Khalifeh says the gym's methodology combines classic martial arts techniques with self-defense and self-empowerment strategies, noting: "Training in SheFighter has a bigger impact on women's lives than 10 conferences on women's rights."

Years ago, Khalifeh said that she decided to begin teaching self-defense after she saw a colleague being physically abused by her brother. Today, SheFighter has trained more than 3,000 women, and Khalifeh hosts workshops outside the capital Amman and at universities. She is aiming to expand further, opening more gyms, both in and outside Jordan.

Each week, a stream of young women pour into the gym to learn self-defense and have fun. "She angry, SheFighter!" they scream at the end of each training session.

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The story has been published by al Jazeera, February 9, 2016.

See the story here. 

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