The Guardian Girls International (GGI), the World Vovinam Federation (WVVF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Embassy of Japan in Viet Nam officially launched a global project to empower women and girls through martial arts and sports. The signing ceremony of the MoU between GGI and WVVF took place at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam.
This initiative makes Viet Nam the first Southeast Asian country to host an international martial arts federation headquarters and to officially join the global Guardian Girls movement. Alongside Viet Nam, the initiative has been implemented in 22 other countries across five continents with the aim to promote gender equality and prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Guardian Girls Vovinam is the flagship project of Guardian Girls International, an NGO under the Koyamada International Foundation (KIF), and will be exclusively implemented in partnership with the WVVF and its network of over 60 national Vovinam federations worldwide.
The project harnesses the power of Vovinam — a traditional Vietnamese martial art known not only for its combination of strikes and grappling techniques, but also as a symbol of physical strength deeply rooted in Vietnamese cultural identity and philosophy. Certified female trainers will conduct workshops, classes, and community educational activities in various countries, equipping women and girls with self-defence skills, knowledge on gender-based violence prevention, and the confidence to assert their rights and capabilities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Naoki Ito emphasised Japan’s commitment to promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women and girls. He recalled that in 2021, the Japanese Embassy supported the establishment of three One-Stop Service Centres in Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City to assist women and girls experiencing gender-based violence.
“By supporting the Guardian Girls Viet Nam project, we reaffirm this commitment while honouring both innovation and tradition. Through Vovinam, this initiative reflects the shared values of Japan and Viet Nam in promoting the rights, safety, and holistic development of women and girls,” he emphasised.
Shin Koyamada, Co-founder and Chair of Guardian Girls International, and Dr Mai Huu Tin, President of the World Vovinam Federation, officially signed the MoU, with strong support from UNFPA, the Japanese Embassy in Viet Nam, and KIF Asia-Pacific.
“This journey is especially meaningful as it begins in Viet Nam — the birthplace of Vovinam, where culture, tradition, and resilience are woven into the national spirit. This is not only about martial arts or sports, but also about a pathway to change, self-worth, and the right to live free from fear,” said Shin Koyamada.
Dr Mai Huu Tin affirmed that the WVVF is proud to work with GGI to promote the values of equality, safety, and respect within the global Vovinam community, bringing Vietnamese traditional martial arts to serve the community in a profound and humanitarian manner.
Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam, highlighted that sustainable solutions to end gender-based violence must be rooted in local culture, community-led, and multisectoral. The Guardian Girls Vovinam initiative exemplifies this approach by using Vietnamese traditional martial arts to empower women and girls with confidence, practical skills, and autonomy.
UNFPA continues to work with the Government of Viet Nam and partners to eliminate gender-based violence through strengthening the national response system, promoting prevention measures, and ensuring support services. Key activities include the one-stop service centres providing healthcare, psychological support, legal counselling, and safe shelters, as well as the national toll-free hotline 1800 1768 to provide information and support related to gender-based violence.
