Women in BJJ: Statistics That Reveal the Gender Gap

Women in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu face a concerning statistical reality: they represent 14% of white belts but only 4% of black belts. That’s a 71% relative decline through the ranks.

This data, extracted from over 40,000 practitioners registered on BeltChecker.com, reveals a gender gap that the BJJ community needs to address.

The Big Picture: 11% Female Participation

According to available data:

• Total female participation in BJJ: 11%.
• Female participation at black belt: 4%.
• Relative drop from white to black: 71%.

This means that for every 100 BJJ practitioners, only 11 are women. And of every 100 black belts, just 4 are women.

Gender Distribution by Belt

The following table shows how female participation decreases progressively:

The pattern is clear: as belt level increases, the proportion of women consistently decreases.

The Dropout Curve Visualized

If we imagine 100 female white belts and 100 male white belts, and follow their proportional progression:

Men (from every 100 whites):

• 100 whites → ~25 blues → ~15 purples → ~9 browns → ~18 blacks.

Women (from every 100 whites):

• 100 whites → ~18 blues → ~9 purples → ~5 browns → ~5 blacks.

Women who start are less likely to reach each subsequent level compared to their male counterparts.

Why This Drop-Off Happens

1. Fewer Training Partners

In many academies, women train primarily with men due to the lack of other women:

• Strength and size differences create frustration.
• Some men don’t know how to adjust intensity.
• Lack of sparring partners to develop technique with.

When there are no other women, training can feel isolating.

2. Academy Environment

Not all academies are equally welcoming:

• Inappropriate comments or uncomfortable stares.
• “Bro” culture that implicitly excludes.
• Lack of adequate changing rooms or privacy.
• Class schedules that don’t consider other responsibilities.

Women often have to “put up with” situations that men never experience.

3. Limited Representation

Seeing is believing:

• Few female instructors as role models.
• Less media coverage of female competitors.
• Lack of visible success stories.

Without examples of women who have walked the path, it’s harder to visualize one’s own success.

4. Disproportionate Responsibilities

Broader social statistics affect BJJ:

• Women typically take on more family responsibilities.
• Pregnancy and motherhood interrupt training.
• Less time available for “personal” hobbies.

These social realities are reflected in BJJ retention rates.

5. The Cost of Injuries

Injuries affect everyone, but the impact can be different:

• Recovery during pregnancy or breastfeeding is more complex.
• Social pressure to “not take risks” is greater for women.
• An injury can be the excuse for others to question their participation.

The Business Case for Retaining Women

For academy owners, gender diversity isn’t just ethical: it’s good business.

The Untapped Market

• Women represent 50% of the population but only 11% of BJJ practitioners.
• The growth potential is enormous.
• Academies that attract women access a less competitive market.

Better Retention Rates

Studies in general fitness show that:

• Women who find community have better retention.
• Women-specific programs increase permanence.
• A satisfied woman refers other women.

Impact on Culture

Academies with more women tend to have:

• Less aggressive and more technical environment.
• Better mat etiquette.
• More diverse and welcoming community for everyone.

Positive Trends and Role Models

Despite the challenges, there are signs of progress:

Elite Competitors

The level of women’s competition has never been higher:

• Gabi Garcia. Dominant in heavyweight for a decade.
• Mackenzie Dern. Successful transition to MMA.
• Bia Mesquita. Multiple-time world champion.
• Ffion Davies. Refined technique that inspires thousands.

These athletes demonstrate that elite women’s BJJ is spectacular.

Growth of Specific Programs

More and more academies offer:

• Women-only classes.
• Women’s self-defense seminars.
• Women-exclusive competitions.
• Mentorship programs between practitioners.

Online Communities

Social networks have created support spaces:

• Specific Facebook groups and forums.
• Instagram accounts of female instructors.
• Podcasts and content aimed at women.
• Women-only events and retreats.

What Academies Can Do

1. Create Women-Only Classes

Proven benefits:

• Less intimidating environment for beginners.
• Opportunity to develop technique without strength differences.
• Community among female practitioners.
• Entry point that later leads to mixed classes.

Doesn’t replace mixed classes, complements them.

2. Develop Female Instructors

Invest in developing female instructors:

• Mentor purple and brown belts toward teaching.
• Offer opportunities to lead warmups or basic techniques.
• Create a pipeline of future professors.

Seeing a woman leading the class changes perceptions.

3. Establish Clear Policies

Have zero tolerance for:

• Inappropriate comments about bodies or clothing.
• Overly aggressive behavior during sparring.
• Any form of harassment or discomfort.

Policies should be explicit, not assumed.

4. Adapt Facilities

Practical considerations:

• Private and secure changing rooms.
• Gis available in small sizes.
• Schedules that consider family responsibilities.
• Clean and professional environment.

5. Celebrate Female Achievements

Visibility matters:

• Highlight women’s promotions on social media.
• Celebrate competition victories equally.
• Display photos of female practitioners in the academy.
• Tell stories of women from the academy on the website.

For Female Practitioners

If You’re Starting

Tips for navigating the beginning:

• Look for academies with other women (ask before signing up).
• Don’t be afraid to set boundaries during sparring.
• Connect with other female practitioners from day one.
• Remember: initial discomfort is normal for everyone.

If You’re on the Path

For those who’ve passed the initial phase:

• Be the role model you perhaps didn’t have.
• Help newcomers feel welcome.
• Don’t accept inappropriate behavior: report it.
• Your permanence inspires others.

If You’re Considering Quitting

Before giving up, consider:

• Is the problem BJJ or the specific academy?
• Have you tried women-only classes?
• Are there other academies in your area with a better environment?
• Can you talk to management about your concerns?

Sometimes changing academies completely transforms the experience.

The Future of Women’s BJJ

Trends suggest a more equitable future:

• More girls are starting BJJ than ever before.
• Women’s competitions are gaining visibility.
• Social networks amplify female practitioners’ voices.
• Social pressure pushes academies toward inclusion.

However, going from the current 11% to true parity will take decades and conscious effort from the entire community.

Summary

The data is clear but not definitive:

• 11% overall female participation.
• From 14% at white to 4% at black.
• 71% relative drop through the ranks.

The gender gap in BJJ is real, but it’s not inevitable. Academies that prioritize inclusion see better female retention rates. Communities that celebrate their female practitioners grow more diverse.

BJJ has the potential to empower anyone, regardless of gender. But for that potential to be realized for women, we need to recognize current barriers and actively work to break them down.

If you’re a woman who trains BJJ, you’re part of a group that defies statistics. If you’re an academy owner, you have the power to change these numbers. If you’re a male practitioner, you can be an ally who makes the mats more welcoming for everyone.

The future of BJJ will be more diverse. The question is whether we’ll be part of the solution or the status quo.

OSS. 🤙