Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Guardian Girls Karate Instructors’ Course gets underway today in Harare with participants drawn from seven countries set to take part.
The programme created by the World Karate Federation (WKF) in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) aims to equip female karate instructors with self-defence and empowerment skills to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The course will be led by Carol Duffy, a WKF-certified instructor and Carolina Koyamada, who is part of the Guardian Girls Programme coordinators. In a statement, Zimbabwe National Karate Federation said the programme is also aimed at promoting gender equality through the sport.
“The World Karate Federation (WKF), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Koyamada International Foundation (KIF), and the Zimbabwe National Karate Federation (ZNKF), will host the Guard-ian Girls Karate Programme in Harare from 19 to 21 November 2025.
“The programme aims to empower women and girls to defend themselves against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and to promote gender equality through karate training.
“Zimbabwe is the first African nation to host this global initiative, positioning itself as a leader in linking sport with social empowerment.” ZNKF added that the programme aligns with Zimbabwe’s national agenda for gender equality.
“The Guardian Girls programme uses karate as a tool to promote confidence, self-protection, and resilience among women and girls.
“It supports Zimbabwe’s national agenda for gender equality, youth empowerment, and violence prevention, while strengthening Zimbabwe’s image as a host of high-profile international sporting initiatives.”
Zimbabwe will have four participants — Natalie Toweel, Chipo Mashingaidze, Monica Peters and Hazel Chirima. They will be joined by participants from Mozambique, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Botswana and Ethiopia.
