Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. HARARE has been hosting the first ever Guardian Girls Karate activities held in Africa, a three-day event which concludes today.
The initiative saw the participation of 13 representatives from six African countries, including the host nation, Zimbabwe.
Other participating nations included Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Speaking at a Press conference held at a hotel in Harare yesterday, World Karate Federation (WKF) instructor Carol Grogan described Guardian Girls Karate as a vital programme aimed at empowering women and young girls by teaching them karate as a form of self-defence.
Grogan also highlighted the programme’s crucial focus on the societal challenge of gender-based violence.
“A big part of our programme is also looking at the psychological impact of gender-based violence and acknowledging the ever-increasing prevalence of gender-based violence worldwide,” she stated.
Echoing this sentiment, Zimbabwean instructor Chipo Mashingaidze emphasised the timeliness of the programme’s implementation in Africa.
“Equipping girls with the confidence to know that they can be equipped to save themselves,” Mashingaidze said.
“Initially, without contact, but it leads to contact and knowing exactly what to do.”
Mashingaidze further noted the sense of unity and shared learning among the participants: “We have in the last 24 hours become a system of people with the same mindset, learning skills that are coming from all over the world.”
She also highlighted the benefit of having WKF instructor Grogan, who has travelled extensively, sharing international insights.
“We are benefiting a little bit extra because we are getting Carol at a time when she’s travelled to other countries, so she’s able to tell us what has been happening in other countries, experiences of other women and what they’ve had to deal with — their fears and how they are winning individual spaces that they’re able to win,” Mashingaidze said.
WKF president Antonio Espinós cemented the initiative’s core purpose.
“Guardian Girls Karate is a tool for society to fight against gender-based violence,” Espinós affirmed.
“And we are empowering women, working for gender equality, and for social development.
“It’s a social tool that has the highest expectations for the World Karate Federation.”
Guardian Girls Karate is a global initiative launched by the World Karate Federation WKF, the Koyamada International Foundation, and the United Nations Population Fund to empower women through the practice of karate.
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