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France 24

In Pakistan, female boxers break down gender barriers

France 24 · 1 month ago
France 24
France 24
1 month ago

In Pakistan, more and more women are stepping into the ring — a space long seen as the preserve of men. At the 5th National Women’s Boxing Championship, participation surpassed 100 athletes for the first time, competing across eight weight divisions — compared to just three at the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2018.

Breakdown
  • Girls from Lyari, Karachi, train daily at a local boxing club.
  • Pakistan's first girls boxing club opened 11 years ago amid criticism. 45s
  • Nearly 90% of Pakistani women do not participate in sports. 50s
  • Alia Sumro became the first Pakistani woman to win an international boxing title. 1m 16s
  • Women's boxing is challenging social norms in a country ranked last in gender equality. 1m 54s
Boxing & MMASportsWomen's Rights