Empowerment Through Jiu Jitsu: A Refugee Camp’s Transformational Journey

In the Burj al-Barajneh refugee camp located in South Beirut, Palestinian girls are learning Brazilian jiu jitsu in a makeshift gym. This two-month martial arts course, led by coach Mirella Atallah, offers more than just self-defense training. It challenges traditional norms about female behavior and provides participants with tools for empowerment.

Mirella Atallah, a Lebanese-Canadian and former world jiu jitsu champion, trains women and marginalized communities worldwide. Her mission is significant in societies where gender-based violence is rarely discussed openly. “To me, it’s about women’s empowerment in public spaces,” she states. The training emphasizes situational awareness and boldness, including making eye contact and using one’s voice—skills many of these young women had not been encouraged to develop.

“After two weeks, I noticed changes in myself—not only physically, but mentally too,” says 18-year-old Aisha Saqqa, a college student. “Mirella taught us to act differently.”

These changes include stepping out rather than striving to remain unnoticed. Participants learn to assert themselves vocally, a significant shift for those taught to stay silent. Atallah recalls a program participant who struggled to raise her voice even in distress.

Participants like Aisha, who aspires to start a perfume business, benefit greatly. These young women, born into challenging circumstances in Palestinian refugee camps, are finding avenues for self-improvement. For instance, Malak, a teenager from the camp, shares the impact of the courses and her dreams of becoming a beauty specialist.

Lebanon’s ongoing economic and social struggles amplify challenges in these camps. However, Atallah’s journey to empowerment echoes with resilience. Born into a poor Lebanese family, she was once considered unsuitable for judo by her parents. Yet, she defied these notions, ultimately achieving a remarkable transformation.

Atallah’s path included eight years of university studies amidst multiple jobs in Lebanon, followed by a move to Kuwait and then Canada. In Montreal, she embraced yoga and martial arts as a pathway to health and fitness, reaching a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Creating supportive communities is central to Atallah’s classes. Ola, a program coordinator, emphasizes the importance of training for her daughter Hadeel amidst adversities faced in the refugee camp.

“I want my daughter to be strong and independent,” shares Ola. “We fled the camp during the 2026 war for safety. Training helps her evolve and build confidence.”

In stark contrast to the bustling influencer hotspots in Beirut, the camp presents a reality of poverty and threats. Harassment, deprivation, and domestic abuse are pervasive. Yet, the newfound support within Atallah’s classes provides solace.

Without safe public transportation, women face heightened risks walking at night. Atallah notes restrictions impact physical and mental health, as attending gyms becomes impossible.

The training sessions welcome some of society’s most vulnerable, including migrant workers and members of the LGBT community. Atallah has taught around 1,500 women worldwide, from Syria to Pakistan, working with ages 12 to 83. In these classes, participants like Fatima Mohammad, a substitute teacher and graphic designer, report enhanced confidence.

As Atallah engages with the trainees, she encourages envisioning changes they would make within the camp, ranging from improving public spaces to increasing opportunities for exercise.

“We are the stones causing ripples in the water,” Atallah inspires. “Together, these small changes could create a significant impact.”