The official dinner celebrating the launch of the Guardian Girls Karate Programme in Latvia provided a meaningful platform to discuss the current situation of women’s rights in the country. The event took place in Riga was attended by Antonio Espinós, President of the World Karate Federation (WKF); Toufic Kawar, President of the Latvian National Karate Federation; H.E. Ivars Liepnieks, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister; and Oskars Kastēns, former Minister for Special Assignments for Social Integration Affairs, representing the Ministry of Welfare, among many other officials.
The event was set against the background of national debate surrounding the country’s potential withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention. Signed by 45 countries and the European Union, the Istanbul Convention is a Council of Europe treaty aimed at preventing and combating violence against women and domestic abuse. News of the potential withdrawal has sparked widespread concern, with thousands of demonstrators gathering in the Latvian capital to voice their support for women’s rights and protection.
Against this backdrop, the Guardian Girls Karate Programme was officially launched in Latvia. The initiative, a collaboration between the World Karate Federation (WKF) and the Latvian National Karate Federation, aims to empower women and girls with the physical and mental tools to combat gender-based violence through Karate training. The launch followed a special ceremony held at the Residence of the Japanese Ambassador in Riga, where the collaboration agreement between the two federations was signed, marking a significant milestone in the global expansion of the programme.
During the official dinner, participants reviewed the alarming situation of violence towards women in Latvia. According to the latest available United Nations data, Latvia has the highest per-capita rate of violence against women in Europe.
In his address, WKF President Antonio Espinós emphasised the crucial role of such initiatives:
“The Guardian Girls Karate Programme is more than a sports initiative — it is a movement for empowerment. By teaching self-defence and confidence, karate gives women the tools to face and resist violence. Now that the programme is launching in Latvia, we hope karate can contribute to improving the situation of women in the country and promoting respect, equality, and safety for all.”
The Guardian Girls Karate Programme continues to expand globally, reinforcing karate’s mission to serve as a force for social good. With Latvia joining this international effort, the country takes an important step toward building safer communities and empowering women to stand strong against violence.
(Top picture: WKF President Antonio Espinós (centre) poses with Latvian Karatekas and members of the Latvian Karate Federation Board at the official dinner of the launch of the Guardian Girls Karate programme.