Channelling violence with kickboxing

More than ten years after the revolution in Tunisia that ignited the Arab Spring in the winter of 2010/11, people in the country are faced with a deteriorating economy. Young Tunisians are the most affected, leaving them vulnerable to being lured towards radicalisation. The fallouts are violent extremism, illegal migration and organised crime.

Switzerland supports a professional kickboxing team from Le Kram – the Kram Team Club – that offers young people stability. Violence and crime are routine occurrences in the popular but marginalised suburb of La Goulette in the north of Tunis. Isolated and left to their own devices, young people have few other options to make their voices heard.

In 2012, lawyer and kickboxing enthusiast Mehdi Hammami established the Kram Team. "We offer young people something to do in their free time, open up opportunities and give them hope. I firmly believe that sport can bring about social change. Martial arts are especially well-suited to channel violence and frustration because they require discipline and willpower."

Martial arts also teach values. Asma Torjemen says she has learnt perseverance, respect and humbleness and took up kickboxing because it is a discipline that challenges both the body and mind. "It improves endurance, coordination and self-control. I have become more self-confident and can cope better with challenges. These abilities are crucial in my everyday life," the 23-year-old says.

Free classes are held three times a week and are open to all age groups as well as to people with disabilities. They are conducted by ten professional trainers in groups based on level and goals. "The young people talk to us about their concerns. We help them resolve everyday problems and issues at school or work. We also offer psychological support," says Hammami. "We are like a family." Asma agrees: "It’s a friendly and encouraging community."

The club has currently 300 students and members, and the number of women has gone up substantially in recent years. Some of the reasons for the increase were the expansion of the training facilities and the separation of female and male dressing rooms. "Mothers who used to come here with their children, now feel more comfortable. Some of them had never participated in sports before but are now kickboxing with confidence," says Hammami.

A workshop to combat gender stereotypes and sexism was also organised in collaboration with The North African Policy Initiative which is based in Tunis. Workshops on topics such as violence in schools and the participation of young people in political decision-making followed. "These are workshops for, by and with young people," says Hammami.