Guardian Girls Bulgaria Seminar Empowers Women in Sofia
Guardian Girls International (GGI) held a series of Guardian Girls seminars at Dianabad National Sports Base in Sofia, Bulgaria, bringing together approximately 40 young adult women for sports-based empowerment, education, and capacity building.
The seminars were hosted by Guardian Girls Nigeria (GGN) at Dianabad National Sports Base and featured three programs: Guardian Girls Judo (GGJ), Guardian Girls Ju-Jitsu (GGJJ), and Guardian Girls Aikido (GGA). Each participating national federation assigned its own female instructors to lead training in its respective discipline, demonstrating the commitment of Bulgaria’s martial arts community to empowering women and girls through sport.
The seminars opened with remarks from a representative of the Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria and Shin Koyamada, President of Guardian Girls International. Representatives of Bulgaria’s national martial arts community also delivered remarks, including Dr. Tomo Borisov, Rumen Stoilov, and Plamen Youroukov. The event was emceed by Toni Petrov.
WOMEN INSTRUCTORS LEADING THE WAY
A key feature of the seminars was the leadership of female instructors appointed by the respective national federations. Through their expertise and practical instruction, the women instructors introduced participants to the principles and techniques of their respective martial arts while promoting confidence, discipline, physical awareness, and personal safety.
The three programs were delivered through the collaboration of the Bulgarian Judo Federation, Bulgarian Ju-Jitsu Federation, and Bulgarian Aikido Federation. Each federation is responsible for developing and implementing its own Guardian Girls program in its discipline, helping establish a sustainable, nationally led approach to empowering women and adolescent girls.
ADVANCING EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SPORT AND EDUCATION
Guardian Girls programs use martial arts and sports as platforms for empowerment, education, capacity building, and violence prevention. Beyond physical training, the initiative aims to help women and girls strengthen their confidence, recognize risks, build supportive networks, and access opportunities to participate more actively in their communities.
Guardian Girls Bulgaria (GGB), the national committee of GGI in Bulgaria, coordinates the initiative with national sports federations and relevant partners, including United Nations agencies, diplomatic missions, women’s organizations, government ministries, educational institutions, and other stakeholders.
The seminars contribute to broader efforts to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those relating to gender equality, good health and well-being, quality education, and partnerships for sustainable development.
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL INITIATIVE
The seminars build on the launch of Guardian Girls Bulgaria and the cooperation established with Bulgaria’s national martial arts federations. By placing women instructors at the center of practical training and engaging established sports organizations, the initiative seeks to develop locally led programs that can reach more women and girls over time.
Guardian Girls International will continue working with Guardian Girls Bulgaria, national federations, and partner organizations to expand access to sports-based empowerment and educational opportunities and to strengthen coordinated efforts to prevent violence against women and girls.