Power. Strength. Virility.

“In some cases, they assume it is normal to be treated as inferior or denigrated because of their gender,” says social psychologist Andrés Santos.

This is a cultural construct that emphasizes the power, strength, and virility of a man.

Superiority. Aggression. Disregard.

This is often associated with ideas of male superiority and might manifest in the form of gender roles, patriarchal societies, aggression, and a disregard for the rights of others. This characteristic is present not only in men but also in women.

This is prevalent in many countries, particularly Latin American countries, where it is deeply rooted in the social fabric and is evident in the roles of men and women in the home, work, and public spheres. It is also present in certain other cultures, particularly those with a legacy of colonialism.

Order. Power. Gender Roles.

There is a well-known expression among indigenous women in Ecuador when their husbands beat them and someone wants to intervene: “Marido es”.

This is widespread because it has a long history and is deeply entrenched in the culture of many countries. It is often seen as a necessary part of maintaining order and power, and it has been passed down through generations as a way to ensure that certain gender roles and ideas of male dominance remain in place. Often, it is the women who utter this phrase, justifying the husband’s actions just because he is a man.

Inferior. Incapable. Valueless.

Some have denser pasts involving physical violence, others come because their self-esteem is very low.

Women are often seen as inferior, less capable, and less valuable than men, and this can lead to discrimination and oppression in the workplace and in society.

Violence. Abuse. Low Self-Esteem.

This can lead to violence against women and an increase in domestic abuse.

This is Machismo

Women are taking THIS into their own hands. Literally.

“You’re hitting like a lady,” “La Cobra” teases them, to encourage them to hit harder.

Boxing becomes an opportunity for a group of housewives to fight machismo with their own hands. Leaving prejudices aside, many Ecuadorian women go to the gym every day to train, with the secret hope of overcoming their fears and achieving greater confidence at the point of blows. 

“I saw the information in a newspaper about ‘La Cobra’ gym where they said they accepted all types of students. I didn’t know who he was, or that he had been a boxing champion. But at that time I was having problems with my ex-husband and I said to myself: ‘if I can’t hit him, I can at least pretend to do it,’ and at that point, I went to see him,” recalls Carla, who has been boxing for two years now.

They train three times a week, in the afternoons, at a time when many of them used to watch soap operas. Their routine consists of a fifteen-minute warm-up, stretching and stretching. They then move on to the punching bag where they practice different combinations under the watchful eye of their trainer.

At the end of the hour, they get into the ring where they first do a combat simulation with a sparring partner who dodges their blows. Then, the big moment: a small two-round bout where they can put into practice what they have learned.

La Cobra Buitrón, the man that challenged Machismo in Ecuador.

“I came up with the idea of giving lessons to anyone who wanted them so I could have more students,” he recalls.

The housewives who have come to the gym of former Ecuadorian boxer Luis “La Cobra” Buitrón have different personal stories. They differ in details and in the names of their protagonists, although they have the same essence: machismo.

“La Cobra” opened his doors to train women after retiring from professional boxing.

Boxing for confidence. Boxing for strength. Boxing for self-respect.

“It’s a discharge of things stored for years inside me”.

 “When I have my opponent in front of me I just imagine it’s my ex-husband and I hit with all my might.”

“Since I started boxing I stopped crying alone, now I walk confidently down the street.”

Women boxing to counter machismo is an increasingly popular way for women to take control of their lives and challenge traditional gender roles. For example, through boxing, women are able to prove that they are just as strong and capable as men, and can defend themselves if necessary. Additionally, it serves as a form of self-expression and empowerment, as it allows women to show that they can overcome machismo-based ideas of female inferiority.

 But the real learning takes them out of the gym and out of the ring, and even beyond their now-trained fists. They carry it inside their chests, in the confidence that injects them with the feeling that they can protect themselves in an environment that is still very much influenced by machismo.

The female voice in a boxing ring.

 “It worked out pretty well for me to start this boxing thing. In every way people respect you more when they feel you respect yourself. Even at work, I’ve done better since I’ve been practising it,” says 27-year-old Ana, who is a company secretary.

It has been about seven years since the first lady arrived at the doors of the gym to enter this unknown world of boxing. Since then the number of female students has increased, and although it is not a massive activity, since then there has never ceased to be a feminine tone of voice that contrasts with the big voice that “La Cobra” has.

Besides boxing, there are other ways people are fighting back against machismo. There are a number of organizations and initiatives that are working to combat machismo and its effects. Additionally, governments and international organizations are beginning to take steps to address the issue, such as introducing laws to protect women and promoting gender-inclusive policies.

Tell us in the comments below, would you box for confidence?

How would you stop machismo?

REFERENCES:

Pressreader.com

Veintemundos.com

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