Women in Martial Arts: The Journey of Refugee Karate Champion Meena Asadi

Beyond the Martial Arts

Martial arts have been much more than a sport for me—it has been a lifeline. As a woman and a refugee, I have faced many challenges: displacement, uncertainty, and the constant struggle to rebuild my life in a new environment. At times, these challenges felt overwhelming, but through martial arts I discovered strength, discipline, and resilience that I didn’t know I had.

Training on the mat taught me more than self-defence. It gave me confidence, focus, and the courage to face difficulties outside the gym. Every punch, kick, and practice session became a way of proving to myself that I am not defined by hardship, but by how I rise above it. Martial arts gave me a sense of control when so many things felt beyond my control.

At first when I saw boys who participating in sport without any obstacles, I began to wonder why I could not do the same. Why should being a girl hinder me from playing sports and taking part in other social activities? This motivated me to break down gender barriers which prevented me from my activities. In this way, I faced many problems and difficulties, but these challenges motivated me more to continue the Karate professionally. Now it has been 20 years that I have been doing karate.

In Afghanistan I was a member of the national karate federation and also ran my own Karate club, where I taught more than 150 boys and girls. Most of my students have since left the country due to insecurity. When Taliban took over, female athletes were banned from sports. Today, women and girls face severe gender apartheid under Taliban regime.

The most important thing, and what motivates me the most, is that the more obstacles I face, the harder I try. For example, when I first started training, I faced a lot of opposition from both my family and society. But the more resistance I faced, the more determined I became to continue, and I pursued my training even more firmly.

Since the time the Taliban created many obstacles against women’s and girls’ work, education, and sports in Afghanistan, I have been striving even more to encourage more girls to take part in sports. My approach to girls’ sports is to empower them through it, and most importantly, to break the negative mindset that women and girls are not capable of accomplishing anything on their own. This is where karate becomes more than just martial arts or a sport for me.

This personal transformation inspired me to empower young girls, especially those facing similar struggles. Many grow up in environments where their voices are silenced and their potential overlooked. Through martial arts, I teach them that they are strong, capable, and worthy of respect. The discipline of training, the courage to step into the ring, and the supportive community we build together help them realize they can shape their own futures.

When martial arts meet resilience, transformation happens. This has been the story of Cisarua Refugee Shotokan Karate Club (CRSKC) in Indonesia in 2016. What began as a modest initiative with a handful of refugee children has grown into an inspiring movement that empowers refugee women, girls, and youth through the art of karate.

Beginnings in Adversity (2016)

In 2016, life for refugees in Indonesia was marked by uncertainty. With no right to work or formal education, refugees often faced isolation and hopelessness. For me, as a passionate karateka and certified instructor, this was unacceptable. I saw martial arts as not only a path to discipline and physical health but also a means of restoring dignity and purpose to displaced people.

With limited resources, or I can say without any basic facilities I started training sessions in a dark and inappropriate Hall in Cisarua, Bogor West Java, Indonesia under the name of Cisarua Refugee Shotokan Karate Club. The early days were simple—bare mats, borrowed uniforms, and students training with determination rather than equipment. Yet the dream was big: to build a safe, inclusive dojo where refugees, especially women and children, could find strength and hope.

Growth and Early Achievements (2017–2018)

Within just a year, CRSKC attracted dozens of children, teenagers, and women from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, and other refugee communities. For many, this was their first chance to participate in organized sports.

Despite limited resources, I ensured that training was disciplined, structured, and competitive. By 2017, my students were already participating in local karate tournaments in Indonesia—marking the first time many refugee athletes ever competed in their lives.

2017: CRSKC students won their first medals at local championships in Bogor city, and it was great and remarkable achievement and brought the sense of belonging and hope to their faces and hearts. 

2018: The club had over 50 active members, with a rising number of girls joining. Several young female athletes brought home medals, challenging stereotypes that refugee girls should not compete in sports.

Expanding Opportunities (2019–2020)

By 2019, CRSKC had become well-recognized among both refugee and local Indonesian communities. Training sessions became a space for cross-cultural friendship, where Indonesian athletes also joined, breaking down barriers between locals and refugees.

Dozens of medals won by refugee athletes at district- and provincial-level karate championships in Indonesia, Female athletes becoming medallists, proving that women in martial arts can thrive regardless of cultural or refugee background.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the club faced restrictions, but CRSKC continued its activities in a different way. During the COVID pandemic, with the cooperation of UNHCR, the club distributed masks, hygiene supplies, and food packages several times among the refugees. In those difficult circumstances, CRSKC stood by the refugee community and kept hope alive in their hearts in every possible way.

Building Champions and Leaders (2021–2023)

From 2021 onward, CRSKC’s athletes began gaining stronger reputations. Many of the students trained at CRSKC consistently reached podiums at local competitions. Importantly, I emphasized that karate was not only about medals, but about values—discipline, respect, and resilience.

Multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals at regional karate tournaments in Bogor, Female refugee athletes serving as assistant instructors, helping younger children learn and showing leadership in the dojo.

The club being featured by international organizations and media outlets as a rare example of a refugee-led sports initiative empowering woman.

On January 2023 that was a great privilege for me, CRSKC and refugee community in Indonesia that I had won the Fervent global love of lives award, which annually presented by  

Chou Ta – Kuan Educational and Cultural Foundation of Taiwan promotes, with the assistance of the Taipei Economic and Trade Office (TETO) Jakarta, Taiwan di Indonesia 

Chou Chin- Hua founder of CTK-Foundation leads Taiwan life fighters and sends love to Indonesia for presenting Fervent Global Love of Lives Award to me and publish my autobiography “Light at The Darkest place” for distributing the me and CRSKC story to about 3000 junior high schools and elementary schools in Taiwan. All the winners were attended the Fervent Global Love of Lives Ceremony and public welfare event in Taiwan on 15- 23 September 2023.

The foundation officially invited me to Taiwan for receiving the award, but due to my refugee status I could not go there, and they had come to Jakarta for present the award to me.

A Historic Milestone (2024–2025)

By 2024–2025, CRSKC had become an established name in the refugee community of Indonesia. Over 200 refugee children and youth have passed through the dojo since its founding. The majority had never practiced martial arts before arriving in Indonesia.

2024: Refugee athletes from CRSKC won 6 gold medals and 2 silver medals in a district-level championship—one of the club’s best results to date.

2025: The club celebrated its ninth year, with more girls than ever before in leadership and competition roles.

Since the beginning of this year, the athletes of the CRSKC have participated in two karate competitions. In the first competition, held on February 15, with eight participants (four boys and four girls), they won six gold medals and two silver medals. In the second competition, held on August 10, again with eight participants (five girls and three boys), they also managed to win six gold medals and two silver medals. All the participating girls won gold medals, which shows how karate has empowered them.

Also, ten athletes from the CRSKC will participate in the provincial karate competition to be held on September 28, which will include six girls and four boys. For me,  as coach each medal is more than an award—it is a symbol of resilience. Every victory shows that refugees, especially women and girls, are not victims of their circumstances but active contributors to society.

Women and Girls at the Heart of CRSKC

Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of CRSKC’s journey is its role in empowering refugee women and girls. From the beginning, I encouraged girls to step onto the mat, defy expectations, and believe in themselves. Today, many of them are role models in their communities. One young student shared: “Before practicing karate, I was shy and afraid. Now, I feel strong. I can protect myself. I want to be a coach one day, like Sensei Meena.” This transformation reflects the true power of martial arts—not just physical strength, but the building of confidence, leadership, and vision for the future.

Contribution to Gender Equality

The story of CRSKC is a living example of Sustainable Development of Gender Equality. In a refugee setting where opportunities for women are often limited, karate has opened doors. Girls and women have gained equal access to training, competitions, and leadership roles, proving that gender equality is achievable even in the most challenging circumstances.

As CRSKC continues into its 10th year, as founder and head coach I remains committed to my vision, to provide a safe and empowering space for every refugee child, especially girls, to discover their potential through karate.

Through this journey and the club’s achievements I would like to send a powerful message to the world that martial arts can be a tool of empowerment, healing, and hope—especially for women and refugees. Through karate, we are not only building athletes—but also building future leaders.

Stay strong and believe yourself!

※ Views expressed in this article are the author's own