Martial arts have long been perceived as male-dominated disciplines. Yet across the global community of the ITF, the past years have seen a steady rise in female participation – not only in competition, but also in coaching, organization, and leadership. Increasingly, women are demonstrating how Taekwon-Do can serve as a powerful platform for confidence, health, and personal empowerment.
Around International Women’s Day 2026 (IWD2026), members around the world highlighted this progress through a variety of initiatives celebrating women in Taekwon-Do, online and through in-person events. One particularly inspiring and remarkable example took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the “Empower Her 2026” Taekwon-Do and Health Festival brought together more than 310 female practitioners from 16 clubs at the Arat Kilo Sports Center.
Organized by Sbn Dagmawit (Dagam) Kiros, 4th Degree Black Belt and member of the ITF Africa Development Team, the festival was built around the motto “Strong Woman – Strong Nation!” Despite challenges in securing sponsorship, the event was realized through months of preparation and the dedication of its organizer, who personally supported the initiative alongside ticket revenues. To foster collaboration among the women from different clubs, participants were organized into symbolic teams – such as The Gems, The Stars, and The Visionaries – to emphasize unity and sisterhood.
The event opened with welcoming ceremonies and keynote addresses from Ethiopian Taekwon-Do (EITF) leaders, including Master Wogayehu Behailu and EITF President Tamrat Feyessa and EITF Senior Vice President Sbn Getachew Shiferaw. In her remarks, Sbn Dagmawit emphasized that martial arts offer more than physical training: “When a woman strengthens her health and confidence, that power extends to her family and ultimately to the nation.”
A highlight of the festival was a synchronized mass demonstration by all 310 participants, followed by technical displays including power breaking, self-defense, and sparring. Competitive events in Team and Individual Patterns, and Traditional Sparring were judged by an official panel of umpires. Winners received medals, while identical trophies symbolized the belief that every participant represented a champion of the event.
The initiative concluded with recognition for the organizer’s leadership, including the awarding of the Africa Taekwon-Do Federation Honorary Medal. Beyond its immediate success, “Empower Her 2026” demonstrated the growing strength of women in Taekwon-Do and the positive impact such initiatives can have within communities.
As the global Taekwon-Do family continues to celebrate the achievements of women in martial arts, events like this one in Ethiopia show how empowerment through sport can inspire the next generation of practitioners and leaders.
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