At the center of Yemen's capital Sanaa, a city battered by years of war and months of pandemic, a row of young girls in red, white and black white uniforms pummel punching bags and practice self defense.

In the corner a mother looks on in pride as a female instructor shows her daughter how to thwart an assailant with a gun.

The girls are all students at Academia gym, a project set up by champion Yemeni kickboxer Seham Amer.