The World Karate Federation (WKF) continues its core mission to broaden the reach of the Guardian Girls Karate programme with the launch of the Instructors’ Course—European Edition. The activity is taking place in Riga, Latvia, on November 7–8 and highlights the WKF’s efforts to continue developing the successful programme of Karate against gender-based violence.
Led by Guardian Girls Karate Chief Instructor Amy Connell, the activities in Latvia mark a significant milestone in WKF’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international collaboration and instructor development. This edition welcomes 15 new instructors, including six representatives from Latvia, underscoring the host country’s efforts to promote initiatives against gender-based violence, such as the Guardian Girls Karate programme.
Moreover, nine new countries will join the Guardian Girls Karate programme for the first time: Armenia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia, and Sweden. Italy will also participate, following the previous signing of the agreement formalising its partnership with the programme.
The official proceedings will begin on Thursday, November 6, with a signing ceremony at the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence in Riga, stating the continued ties between Japan and the discipline of karate.
The Instructors’ Course will take place on Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8. To conclude the weekend’s activities, an open seminar will be held on Sunday, November 9, at the Sports Club, located at Ernesta Birznieka Upīša iela 21E.
Through initiatives such as these activities in Riga, WKF reaffirms its commitment to developing the Guardian Girls Programme even more. Created by the World Karate Federation (WKF), the Koyamada International Foundation (KIF), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Guardian Girls Global Karate Programme is a gender-based violence prevention initiative designed to promote gender equality and empower women and girls through the discipline of karate.
For more information and updates, follow Guardian Girls Karate on its social media channels, via its Instagram page @guardiangirlskarate.