Women’s networks in Honduras are empowering females by enhancing their self-esteem, resilience and individual agency through kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu. These self-defense classes are not only teaching vital skills, but are part of a holistic strategy of building a safer future and working to reduce gender-based violence in the country.

Honduran women suffer from some of the highest rates of gender-based violence in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the dubious recognition of having the highest rate of femicides in the Western Hemisphere.

The USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives program called CARI Honduras is supporting these classes in the Honduran communities of Chamelecon and Rivera Hernandez, as well as outreach to survivors, public policy advocacy and more.

The opinions expressed in this video are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the U.S. government.