Cairo Girls Learn Boxing to Fight Violence and Build Hope

Seventeen-year-old Salma used to be bullied for her darker skin tone and had survived abuse. Now her bullies are afraid of her, and she's gained something more valuable than throwing punches: unconditional acceptance and self-confidence.

Salma is one of 25 girls training at the Impact Academy in southern Cairo, where boxing is transforming lives in a country where 99% of women report experiencing sexual harassment at least once. In a society where girls from poor families are often pressured into early marriage instead of education, choosing to box is an act of rebellion.

Coach Sally Hassona founded the academy in 2017 with a used boxing ring and old sandbags. The 49-year-old sports teacher doesn't get paid for running the program three times a week, but money isn't her motivation.

"I just want the girls to have a good life, to get away from their stigma," Hassona says. Around 400 girls have passed through the academy over the years, learning far more than how to throw a punch.

The program teaches the girls to set boundaries and protect themselves, but Hassona is clear that boxing isn't their future career. She pushes them to learn languages and explore male-dominated fields like engineering. One student, Hanin, is now doing a paid internship at an air conditioning company while training to become an electrical engineer.

Team captain Hana Abdel Bary, whose father competed in Olympic boxing for Egypt, faces regular criticism from doctors and others who say girls shouldn't box. But she knows the training gives her something crucial: "Boxing gives us self-confidence and makes us feel strong."

The academy currently receives $22,800 from Canada's Fund for Local Initiatives for its "Play It Brave" program. Mental health coaches, a psychologist, and a doctor educate the girls about hygiene, health, and menstruation, topics still considered taboo in Egypt.

The Ripple Effect

Sixteen-year-old Aya Hassan Najjar has won first place twice in national competitions and third in an African competition since joining five years ago. But her dreams extend beyond the ring. She's perfecting her English and German to study veterinary medicine in Germany.

"I want to help the stray cats and dogs here in Egypt," Aya says. "The animals can't speak for themselves."

While Egypt's Ministry of Sports announced new initiatives to increase women's participation in sports, Hassona has more immediate dreams: her own building with a proper training room, a relaxation space with a sauna, and maybe even expanding to rugby.

For now, the girls keep showing up to that worn boxing ring, repeating their mantra: "I won't stop until I'm a champion."