Story by Anashe Murombedzi
ELEVEN karatekas from seven Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations completed a two-day Guardian Girls Karate Programme in Harare this Thursday, as the region intensifies efforts to combat violence against women and girls.
The Guardian Girls Programme combines practical self-defence skills with confidence-building techniques rooted in the discipline and values of karate. Its objective is to help curb gender-based violence, strengthen gender equality and expand women’s participation in sport.
Zimbabwe is the first African country to host the global initiative, positioning itself as a regional leader in deploying sport as a tool for protection and empowerment.
“The programme is not about teaching people to hurt others, but empowering women to defend themselves and safely remove themselves from danger. We are here to empower women and help them believe that they have the ability to defend themselves if they ever find themselves in a dangerous situation,” said World Karate Federation (WKF) Guardian Girls Head Instructor, Carol Grogan.
Zimbabwe seminar delegate Chipo Mashingaidze added, “This initiative is long overdue and welcome. We are being equipped not only to protect ourselves, but also to teach others how to protect themselves.”
Launched by the World Karate Federation, the Guardian Girls Programme is a partnership between the United Nations Population Fund and the Zimbabwe National Karate Federation.
Meanwhile, the programme will be officially launched in Harare this Friday, with World Karate Federation President Antonio Espinós already in the country, set to officiate at the ceremony to be held at the Japanese Embassy.
The event marks a significant step in the programme’s implementation in Zimbabwe.
Countries that participated include Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Ethiopia, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
