Eastern DRC is a region plagued by conflict, where rape is used as a weapon of war.
Laurence Fischer, a three-time world karate champion, teaches self-defence to female victims of rape to help them regain self-confidence and rebuild their lives.
We learn more in this article published on France24 Website :
Once a week, in Bukavu, on the shores of Lake Kivu, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sandra and a dozen other women swap their long coloured skirt for a white kimono. On the tatami, they meet up with their coach, Franck Kwabe. He is a black belt in karate, and the assistant of Laurence Fischer, a former world champion. Kwabe is a student and in his spare time, he teaches self-defence to these traumatised women.
The classes, free of charge take place at the Panzi Foundation. Fischer is working with his assistant, Franck Kwabe who is a black belt in karate. She explains:
Thanks to karate, these women realise that they have strength. They also acquire endurance and concentration. They will need strength, endurance and concentration to meet the challenges ahead
Katate has helped many women like Sandra, who was raped at the age of 16 by a neighbour. The article says she was unable to speak on arrival at the centre, she is now full of life and has found the strength to rebound: “When I practise karate, my fear evaporates,” the teenager says with a smile.
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