GUARDIAN GIRLS MALAYSIA OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES IN KUALA LUMPUR
Japan Embassy Hosts Landmark Reception Bringing Government, UN, Academia and Malaysia’s National Combat Sports Organizations Together to Empower Women and Girls
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — AUGUST 30, 2026 — Guardian Girls International (GGI) officially launched Guardian Girls Malaysia (GGM) on August 28 at a landmark reception hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia and co-hosted by GGI, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Malaysia, National University of Malaysia (UKM), United Nations University Global Health (UNU Global Health), Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
The launch brought together senior representatives from the Malaysian government, diplomatic community, United Nations, academia and Malaysia’s national combat sports organizations, establishing a new national platform dedicated to advancing the safety, empowerment and leadership of women and girls through combat sports, education and community engagement to advance gender equity and create safer communities for women and girls region-wide.".
The reception was emceed by Carolina Koyamada, also known as Nia Lyte, President of Guardian Girls International, and featured participation by YB Tuan Mordi Anak Bimol, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Malaysia.
Opening remarks were delivered by:
- H.E. Shikata Yoshiyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia;
- Shin Koyamada, Chairman and Secretary General of Guardian Girls International;
- YB Tuan Mordi Anak Bimol, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia;
- Prof. Dato’ Dr. Sufian Jusoh, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM); and
- Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA Representative for Malaysia.
The gathering reflected a strong shared commitment to strengthening opportunities for women and girls through cooperation among government, international organizations, academia and sport.
Five National Combat Sports Organizations Join Guardian Girls Malaysia
A central milestone of the launch was the establishment of partnerships between Guardian Girls International and five Malaysian combat sports organizations.The following Malaysian organization joined Guardian Girls Malaysia as member organizations.
- Malaysia Judo Federation
- Malaysia Ju-Jitsu Federation
- Malaysia National Silat Association
- Malaysia Karate Federation
- Aikido Shudokan Malaysia
Their participation establishes the foundation for the development and launch of Guardian Girls Karate, Guardian Girls Judo, Guardian Girls Ju-Jitsu, Guardian Girls Aikido, and Guardian Girls Pencak Silat. Together, the organizations create a national Guardian Girls platform spanning five combat sports disciplines, providing a framework for Malaysian sports organizations to work collectively with government institutions, international organizations, universities and other stakeholders. The partnership aims to use combat sports as practical tools to strengthen confidence, resilience, leadership and personal safety, while creating opportunities for women and girls to participate and lead.
Building a National Platform for Women and Girls
Guardian Girls Malaysia will serve as a national platform for coordinating and supporting Guardian Girls activities throughout Malaysia. The initiative will connect Malaysia’s combat sports community with broader efforts in women’s empowerment, education, leadership and safety, creating opportunities for national and international partners to collaborate on programs that can reach women and girls across the country. The launch also represents an important step in expanding the Guardian Girls movement across Southeast Asia, with Malaysia providing a strong platform for cooperation among sports organizations, government, international institutions and civil society. For UNFPA Malaysia, Guardian Girls Malaysia complements its ongoing work on gender-based violence prevention and sexual and reproductive health by empowering women and girls to exercise their rights and choices—through sport—to build the strength and solidarity that go beyond awareness into lasting change.
Shin Koyamada, Chairman and Secretary General of Guardian Girls International, said:
“The launch of Guardian Girls Malaysia demonstrates the importance of bringing key stakeholders together to build a safer, stronger Malaysia. Through sports, dialogue and education, and with the commitment of our partners across Malaysia, Guardian Girls Malaysia will create meaningful opportunities to empower and protect women and girls while strengthening communities.”
Carolina Koyamada (Nia Lyte), President of Guardian Girls International, said:
“Sports have tremendous power to advance gender equality and empower women and girls. Through Guardian Girls Malaysia, we are using combat sports not only to build confidence and resilience, but also to create opportunities for women and girls to participate, lead and become stronger voices in their communities.”
Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA Representative in Malaysia and Country Director for Thailand:
“UNFPA's support for this initiative reflects a deliberate choice: sustainable change requires meeting women and girls where they are—not only with services, but with the tools, confidence, and community that transform vulnerability into agency. Guardian Girls Malaysia is about building communities where women's voices are heard, their contributions valued, and their rights upheld."
The launch of Guardian Girls Malaysia establishes a foundation for continued collaboration across Malaysia and Southeast Asia, with a shared commitment to creating a safer, stronger and more empowered future for women and girls.
