Australia’s Griffith University joins Guardian Girls Karate
WKF - "Griffith University Leads Way as First University to Deliver Guardian Girls Karate Programme"
The Guardian Girls Karate Programme, which uses karate as a powerful tool to combat gender-based violence, is set to be implemented at Griffith University—marking a major step forward in advancing the educational and social impact of the sport across Oceania and the world.
Located in Southeast Queensland on Australia’s east coast, Griffith University is a leading public research institution renowned for both academic and sporting excellence. The university maintains deep connections with the global sporting community, including a strong partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). In recognition of its longstanding commitment to supporting elite athletes who balance education and competition, Griffith has been named an Australian Olympic Pathway University, ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
A United Effort Against Gender-Based Violence
Under this new collaboration, the World Karate Federation (WKF) and Karate Australia will work alongside Griffith University to implement the Guardian Girls Karate Programme. At Griffith, the initiative will be developed and expanded through the university’s Disrupting Violence Beacon and the Sport and Gender Equity Research Hub, integrating martial arts training with cutting-edge research and social impact.
“The partnership with Griffith University marks a defining moment for the Guardian Girls Karate Programme. By joining forces with such a respected institution, we are not only ensuring the programme’s successful delivery in Australia but also elevating its impact across Oceania. This collaboration demonstrates the tremendous legacy of karate in society—showing how our sport extends beyond competition to empower women, protect communities, and stand against gender-based violence,”
— Sara Wolff, CEO of the World Karate Federation
“We are excited to partner with the World Karate Federation and Karate Australia on this global Guardian Girls Karate initiative—the first of its kind in Oceania. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to empowering women and girls and preventing all forms of gender-based violence through Griffith’s Disrupting Violence Beacon and Sport and Gender Equity Research Hub. It also builds on the important work of our colleagues in sport diplomacy and leadership across the region, using sport as a powerful vehicle for social change,”
— Dr. Caroline Riot, Director of Games Engagement and Partnerships, Griffith University
With gender-based violence increasingly recognised as a global crisis, this partnership underscores the vital role of universities and sporting institutions in driving positive cultural transformation and promoting safety, equality, and empowerment for women and girls everywhere.
About the Guardian Girls Karate Programme
The Guardian Girls Karate Programme was co-created by the World Karate Federation (WKF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Koyamada International Foundation (KIF). Its mission is to provide women and girls with practical tools through karate training to protect themselves, build confidence, and raise awareness about all forms of gender-based violence.