DAMMAM: After the recent increase in verbal and physical harassment of women and girls in the Kingdom, they have turned to martial arts in order to protect themselves.
Amani Yassin, a coach at Taekwondo Training Institute, said: “Saudi women are interested in taekwondo to defend themselves from abuse and harassment; in addition, taekwondo is good for physical fitness and muscle flexibility.”
She said that the institute is providing the first taekwondo program in the Eastern Province throughout the year due to the demand among girls and young women.
A taekwondo trainee said that it was an intellectual and physical sport, and the best self-defense for girls. “Now I have learned how to defend myself, I am no longer afraid at all. I enjoyed it, and I think that every girl should join a self-defense course.”
Another trainee said: “I encourage all girls to practice this sport to defend themselves from abuse and harassment in workplaces or markets,” adding that some girls, who suffer from abuse, were unable to protect themselves nor report the problem for fear of social stigma, and they silently suffer from what they experience.
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and is characterized by its comprehensiveness and integration. It is an elegant and unique sport, not an aggressive as some people believe. Most taekwondo practitioners are distinguished by very high morals.
Masomah Abdul-Reda, social researcher is, however, opposed to girls learn martial arts: “Women are able to protect themselves from harassment with good morals, modest clothing and avoiding mixed places. Taekwondo courses are not the solution to the problem and I do not recommend that women confront their harassers,” she said.
She said that taekwondo should be practiced from an early age as girls’ enrollment in courses for only a limited time is not sufficient.
A citizen, Mona Al-Bori, opposed the idea of girls’ enrollment in self-defense courses, saying that society would not accept such ideas due to taekwondo’s inappropriateness for girls. She advised all girls to protect themselves by keeping away from mixed gatherings with large numbers of young people.
Saudi girls learn martial arts to fight harassment
Saudi girls learn martial arts to fight harassment
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
- A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
