Women to stand together once again
JESSICA Mouneimne will never forget what Combat Sport has done for her life.
Just like she will never forget what more than 20 000 females did for Women’s rights on August 9, 1956.
And that is why she has made it her mission to celebrate tomorrow’s Women’s Day in unique fashion.
“Combat Sports, in particular Brazilian Jiu Jitsu literally saved my life and helped me overcome addiction. When I’m in the gym, I have a purpose and I’m free and when I’m outside the gym I know I have an advantage over other women who are untrained from a self defence perspective and these are the two main reasons that I want to open combat sports to the masses,” says Mouneimne, the co-owner of the African Pride Fighting Championship (APFC)
– a charity-focused combat sports promotion – which will showcase ten Women’s Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing and Muay Thai fights in celebration of Women’s day.
“We are raising funds for Rape Crisis as well as for SAME Foundation,” says Mouneimne, who will be featured on the fight card in the main event.
Back in 1956, on August 9, more than 20 000 women of all races descended upon Pretoria’s Union Buildings to present a petition against the carrying of passes by women.
The march was organised by the Federation of South African Women, who challenged the idea that ‘a woman’s place is in the kitchen’, and declaring that women belong ‘everywhere’. A stand that has stood firm and resolute since.
“Every single women on the fight card will have a story to tell about sexual harassment, abuse or assault and so raising funds for Rape Crisis is so close to all our hearts. SAME Foundation does a lot of work with the Khayelitsha Hospital and funds from this event will go towards beds in the women’s phyciatric ward.” According to Mouneimne, the event is the first of its kind. “We have also joined forces with a burlesque dance group called Ménage À Trois, they will be performing classic burlesque throughout the evening.”