The third event of the “Guardian Girls Global Karate Project” was held from May 12 to 14 in Rabat (Morocco). Karate’s remarkable contribution to society was once again showcased at the presentation of this project that puts Karate at the forefront of the fight against Gender-Based Violence.

After the successful events in Cairo and Guadalajara, the initiative to use Karate as a tool to help women against Gender-Based Violence was unveiled in Rabat, on the occasion of the 2023 Karate 1-Premier League Rabat.

PRESENTATION AT THE RESIDENCE OF AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO MOROCCO

Hosted by the Ambassador of Japan to Morocco Hideaki Kuramitsu in his residence, the official presentation of the “Guardian Girls Global Karate project” in Rabat gathered representatives of Morocco’s society, government, and sports officials to celebrate the initiative.

The event was attended by the representative of UNFPA Morocco Mr Yassine Souidi, KIF Global President Ms. Nia Lyte, the Secretary General of the Royal Moroccan Karate Federation Ms Bouchra Lakhal, the Chief of Service of the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication Ms Hayat Tedmiri, the Director of Women Ms. Salma Tazi, the Adviser to the Minister of Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family Mr. Abdelahad Benhallam, and WKF President Mr. Antonio Espinós, among other officials.

Read more about the presentation of the project at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan to Morocco.

From left to right: Representative of UNFPA Morocco Yassine Souidi, WKF President Antonio Espinós, Ambassador of Japan to Morocco Hideaki Kuramitsu, KIF Global President Nia Lyte, the Secretary General of the Royal Moroccan Karate Federation Bouchra Lakhal, WKF General Secretary Toshihisa Nagura, and the Chief of Service of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication Hayat Tedmiri

WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENCE SEMINAR IN RABAT

A group of women from the Rabat region participated in the “Guardian Girls Karate” self-defence seminar on Saturday, May 13^th. The seminar was headed by WKF Instructor Amy Connell with the assistance of Morocco’s Instructor Salma Assila. The event also had the participation of Olympic bronze medallist Mo Sheung Grace Lau of Hong Kong.

WKF Instructor Amy Connell said:

“The participants are really enjoying learning Karate and self-defence. They were so enthusiastic, and I am happy that they found the seminar useful. This project aims to show what Karate can do to help women around the world, from any area, any background, and any age.”

DEMONSTRATION OF SELF-DEFENCE TECHNIQUES DURING FINALS OF #KARATE1RABAT

Live to a worldwide viewing audience on hundreds of platforms around the world, the demonstration of “Guardian Girls Karate” on Sunday, May 14 wrapped up the activities of the project in Rabat.

The demonstration was held during the finals of the 2023 Karate 1-Premier League Rabat and was performed by WKF Instructor Amy Connell and assistant Salma Assila, with the participation of Salah Edine El Mansoury, Adnane Chakir y Ayoub Qissi.

The efficiency of Karate was once again showcased at the demonstration, through the presentation of simple yet effective techniques against the most common situations of violence against women.

WKF President Antonio Espinós said:

“The Guardian Girls Karate Project is a crucial step in the integration of Karate into society. Karate is already deeply integrated with society, but this is a further step in demonstrating Karate’s value to the community. We are dedicating immense work, care, interest, and energy to this project, and I'm sure that after this year, with the six legs of the programme, we will be able to consolidate the Guardian Girls Karate Project even more.

After the events in Cairo (Egypt), Guadalajara (Spain) and Rabat (Morocco), the “Guardian Girls Global Karate Project” will continue being introduced at Karate’s major events in 2023: the Karate 1-Premier League events in Fukuoka (Japan) from June 9 to 11, and Dublin (Ireland) from September 8 to 10 and the Senior World Championships in Budapest (Hungary) from 27 to 28 October.

The project was initiated in October 2022 in Los Angeles (United States) where the Memorandum of Understanding of the programme was signed at the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles by the three creators, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Koyamada International Foundation (KIF), and the World Karate Federation (WKF).