Colombia Launches Guardian Girls Aikido in Bogotá 🇨🇴

In a historic stride towards eradicating gender-based violence, the Koyamada International Foundation Colombia (KIF Colombia), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund Colombia (UNFPA Colombia) and the Colombian Aikido Federation (FCA), proudly unveiled the "Guardian Girls Aikido" project in Colombia on February 14th in Bogotá.

The Guardian Girls Aikido stands as a pioneering initiative dedicated to thwarting gender-based violence by empowering girls and women through Aikido self-defense training. Nationally administered by KIF Colombia and internationally overseen by Guardian Girls International (GGI) as an integral component of the broader Guardian Girls program, the project is designed to endow participants with the skills necessary to defend themselves against various forms of violence.

The launch event convened esteemed guests and leaders from the Government of Colombia, United Nations agencies, international NGOs, corporations, and Aikido delegations across Colombia. The celebration took place on February 14th at the Official Residence of the Japanese Ambassador to Colombia, Masahiro Takasugi, from the Embassy of Japan in Colombia.

Among the notable attendees were Japanese Ambassador to Colombia Masahiro Takasugi; Ms. Nia Lyte, President of KIF Colombia and Guardian Girls International; Mr. Camilo Misael Iguaran Campo, Colombia's Vice Minister of Sports; Mr. Luis Mora, UNFPA Colombia Country Representative; Mr. Wilko Vriesman, Chairman of the International Aikido Federation (IAF); Mr. Abraham Builes Mesa, President of the Colombia Aikido Federation; and Mr. Roberto Vélez Vallejo, Former CEO of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC).

Looking forward, Guardian Girls Aikido is poised to extend its impact to other major cities and rural communities across Colombia, positively influencing the lives of hundreds of girls and women both physically and mentally. Through collaboration with governments, local U.N. agencies, NGOs, and corporations, KIF Colombia envisions the project evolving from a three-month initiative into a year-long endeavor with the establishment of the Guardian Girls Aikido Academy.