Champion woman boxer knocks out hate in Central America | UN News
The term ‘fighter for peace’ takes on new meaning in the form of a five-time world boxing champion combating hate speech in cooperation with the United Nations.
As part of her advocacy against discrimination and hate speech, Yokasta met recently with the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Nderitu, who declares: “Yokasta Valle is not only a boxer in the ring but also a fighter for human rights.”
The two found common ground in their shared struggle against discrimination. “She’s a young, female boxer who is very strong in her field. She has a lot of wins, lots of titles. And she is originally from Nicaragua but moved to Costa Rica as a migrant and fought the odds that migrants fight,” says Ms. Nderitu.
“Not only is she strong in the ring but she’s also strong outside the ring,” the Special Adviser continues. “She has a huge social media following and she talks about countering hate speech. What she says is really relatable because she speaks about how to counter hate speech against migrants.”
The Special Adviser praised Yokasta’s messages not only on hate speech towards migrants but also gender discrimination. “She is a very strong human rights activist, and to see a strong human rights activist in a boxer, and also a very humble and nice person is a very, very good combination.”
“I always suffered discrimination. First, for being a woman and for being a migrant from Nicaragua,” recalls Yokasta. “There will always be people who tell you, ‘This sport is not for women.’ ‘You don’t represent Costa Rica, you represent Nicaragua. Go back to your country.’”
Yokasta understands that hate speech tends to spread on social media, so she advocates countering it. “The fact that a post contains hate speech and discrimination makes people
want to repost and comment,” she observes. “You don’t have to pay attention to everything you read and see. We have to see the reality of things.”
On International Women's Day, March 8, the United Nations in Costa Rica announced Yokasta as its new Champion in an event held at United Nations House.
This distinction is awarded to individuals who serve as role models in areas such as sports and who promote human rights through their messages.
Yokasta expressed a strong resolve to live up to her new role. “Being a UN champion comes with enormous responsibility, and I am willing to assume it.”
