Guardian Girls Vovinam Project Launched in Viet Nam
Guardian Girls International and World Vovinam Federation Launch Global Project to Empower Women and Girls Through Vietnamese Martial Arts and Sport
HANOI, VIET NAM — Guardian Girls International (GGI) the World Vovinam Federation (WVVF), UNFPA Viet Nam and the Embassy of Japan in Viet Nam proudly announce the official global launch of the Guardian Girls Vovinam (GGV) project. The launch ceremony took place on September 16, 2025, at the Official Residence of the Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam, in Hanoi, marking a historic milestone in the intersection of global martial arts and gender empowerment.
This event positions Viet Nam as the first ASEAN country, and the first with an international sports federation headquartered in Southeast Asia, to formally join the GGI movement. Viet Nam joins 22 other countries across five continents where GGI has initiated projects to promote gender equality and prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The GGV project is a flagship project of GGI, an international NGO affiliated with the Koyamada International Foundation (KIF). It is implemented exclusively in partnership with WVVF and its network of over 60 National Federations worldwide. GGV leverages Vovinam, a traditional Vietnamese martial art that integrates striking and grappling techniques, symbolizing both physical strength and philosophical depth.
The launch was formalized through the signing of the historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Shin Koyamada, Co-Founder and Board Chairman of GGI, and Dr. Mai Huu Tin, Board President of WVVF, officially launched the global rollout of the GGV project in Viet Nam. The event also featured remarks and strong support from UNFPA Viet Nam, the Embassy of Japan in Viet Nam, and KIF Asia Pacific.
“It is especially meaningful to begin this journey in Viet Nam—the birthplace of Vovinam—where culture, tradition, and resilience are deeply woven into the national identity. This is more than martial arts and sports—it’s about transformation, dignity, and the freedom to live without fear,” said Shin Koyamada, Co-Founder and Board Chairman of Guardian Girls International.
“WVVF is proud to collaborate with GGI to ensure that the principles of equality, safety, and respect are deeply rooted in the Vovinam movement,” said Dr. Mai Huu Tin, President of the World Vovinam Federation. “This project brings the power of our martial art to serve society in a profound new way.”
“At UNFPA, we believe that lasting solutions to gender-based violence must be rooted in local culture, led by communities, and supported by multi-sectoral collaboration,” said Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam. “Guardian Girls Vovinam reflects this vision by using Viet Nam’s traditional martial arts to empower women and girls with practical skills, confidence, and a sense of agency. UNFPA is proud to coordinate with national and international partners to help bring such innovative approaches to life—ones that protect rights, promote equality, ending violence against women and girls, and transform lives from the ground up.”
“Japan has a long-standing commitment to promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women and girls,” said Ambassador Naoki Ito of Japan. “In 2021, through our partnership with UNFPA, we supported the establishment and operation of three One Stop Service Centres for GBV survivors in Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Today, by supporting Guardian Girls Viet Nam, we continue that commitment—honoring both innovation and tradition. This initiative, utilizing Vovinam, a traditional Vietnamese martial art, reflects the shared values of Japan and Viet Nam in advancing the rights, safety, and empowerment of women and girls.
About Guardian Girls Vovinam (GGV)
Through the GGV project, certified female instructors trained under a standardized curriculum will lead seminars, academies, and educational outreach in communities worldwide. The goal is to provide women and girls with practical self-defense skills, gender-based violence prevention knowledge, and the confidence to assert their rights and personal agency. This project directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality), integrating sport with social impact, safeguarding, and community engagement.
About Guardian Girls International (GGI)
GGI is a global non-governmental organization co-founded by actor, producer, and entrepreneur Shin Koyamada, best known for co-starring in the Hollywood film The Last Samurai, and Nia Lyte, a women’s rights advocate and social entrepreneur. GGI is dedicated to advancing gender equality and preventing violence against women and girls through sport-based empowerment, intercultural dialogue, education, and community engagement. The organization partners with international sports federations, United Nations agencies, governments, NGOs, and educational institutions worldwide.
About World Vovinam Federation
WVVF, established in 2008, is the official international governing body for the martial art of Vovinam. The WVVF focuses on global promotion, standardized sport competitions, and cultural education, and collaborates closely with the Vietnamese government and national sports authorities. The WVVF currently has 61 National Federation Members across all continents and an estimated 2 million practitioners, underscoring its global influence.
About UNFPA in Viet Nam:
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA’s mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
UNFPA in Viet Nam works to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful practices by strengthening national response systems, promoting prevention, and ensuring support services for survivors. Key areas of work include:
One Stop Service Centres (OSSCs): UNFPA supports the Government of Viet Nam in establishing OSSCs, integrated service hubs that provide survivors of GBV with health care, psychosocial support, legal aid, and shelter, all in one location.
24/7 GBV Hotline 1800 1768: This nationwide, toll-free hotline offers round-the-clock support to anyone affected by gender-based violence. Operated by the Viet Nam Farmers’ Union with funding from UNFPA under the VNM10P05 project, the hotline:
- Responds to emergency calls and ensures immediate safety and support for survivors
- Provides information on laws, policies, and services related to gender-based violence
- Offers psychological counselling and emotional support
- Connects callers with medical, legal, police, and social services as needed
- Ensures confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination, and survivor-centered care
For more information, please visit: https://vietnam.unfpa.org/en/topics/gender-equality-women-empowerment.