In a small training hall in Mogadishu’s Waaberi district, the sharp sound of boxing gloves hitting training pads fills the air each evening as a group of Somali girls train in a sport that has long been viewed by some as unsuitable for women.
For the first time, girls in the capital are taking part in structured boxing training, seeking to develop self-defence skills, build confidence, and, for some, pursue a future in competitive sport.
“For me, boxing has made me more focused on what I am doing. My mind and body now work together. I feel more confident and energetic,” said 19-year-old Saxar Aadan, one of around ten girls aged between 18 and 20 who train at the facility.
The group trains at a facility linked to the Somali Boxing Association, where training is provided free of charge. Participants say they mainly joined to learn self-defence at a time when women can face harassment and insecurity.
“Girls learn boxing so they can defend themselves if they face threats or attacks,” Saxar said.
She said she initially worried about how her family would react, given that women’s participation in combat sports remains uncommon in Somali society.
“When I told my family I wanted to learn boxing, they were surprised. But they allowed me. Now I feel stronger and more confident,” she said.
A girl who trained in secret
Not all the girls who started training have been able to continue. Fatima Mohamed was among those interested in boxing but eventually left the programme after her family objected.
Fatima initially began training in secret because she feared that her family would not approve. She continued attending the sessions without telling them, but when her family found out, they asked her to stop.
The decision forced Fatima to give up something she had become interested in, highlighting the challenges some girls face when they try to take part in sports that parts of society consider unsuitable for women.
Fatima’s experience also illustrates how family support can be crucial for girls who want to continue participating in sports, particularly combat sports that remain uncommon among Somali women.
A mother worried about her daughter’s future.
Sahra Omar, a Somali mother, also stopped her daughter from attending boxing training because she was concerned about her daughter’s future and how participation in the sport could affect her prospects for marriage.
Sahra said her decision was driven by concerns about her daughter’s marriage prospects and how Somali society and cultural expectations might view a girl involved in boxing.
“I was worried about my daughter’s marriage and her future,” Sahra said, reflecting concerns among some parents that their daughters’ participation in boxing could affect how they are perceived by society or their future marriage prospects.
Sahra’s experience shows that the challenges facing girls who want to take up boxing go beyond access to training facilities or equipment. They are also shaped by social and cultural expectations about women’s roles and their futures.
The girls who continue to train say boxing has improved not only their physical strength but also their mental resilience and self-esteem.
However, they face significant challenges, including pressure from families, negative reactions within their communities, and criticism on social media. Some girls have also dropped out after being discouraged at home or publicly criticized online.
“When girls get married, they are often stopped from continuing their training,” some participants said, describing this as one of the biggest setbacks they face.
The programme is led by coach Sayid Cabdi Fitaax Maxamed Axmed, a former boxer with more than 10 years of experience and an international coaching certificate. He said the initiative began as a voluntary effort by him and fellow boxing enthusiasts, with most of the equipment provided through donations.
“We organized ourselves on a voluntary basis. The equipment we use was donated by humanitarian organizations about five years ago, which encouraged us to continue,” he said.
He said families often worry that boxing could negatively affect girls’ future prospects or conflict with traditional expectations about women’s roles.
Despite these concerns, he believes attitudes are slowly changing.
“Somali girls have the talent and strength to reach high levels if they are given consistent support and opportunities,” he said.
The program currently trains around ten girls, six days a week. Organizers say the number fluctuates as some girls drop out because of family pressure, social pressure, or criticism on social media.
Participants say they hope to go beyond self-defense and eventually compete internationally, representing Somalia on larger sporting stages.
In recent years, Mogadishu has seen a gradual increase in vocational and sporting opportunities for young women, creating new pathways towards independence and employment.
Still, trainers say the biggest challenge is not boxing itself but building sustained acceptance and support from families, communities, and online spaces for women who want to take up the sport.
By Maryan Ladane, Bilan Media
