Participating 24th ASEAN Commission of Women (ACW) Meeting

On November 10, 2025, the 24th Meeting of the ASEAN Commission on Women (ACW) was held in Bohol, Philippines, convening representatives from ASEAN Member States and key partners to advance regional cooperation on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

As part of its ongoing collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and the ACW, Guardian Girls International (GGI) was officially invited to participate in the meeting for the second consecutive year. The meeting was held in a hybrid format, with both in-person and virtual participation.

Shin Koyamada, Board Chairman of GGI, participated online and delivered a presentation and proposal to distinguished participants, including San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General of the ASEAN Secretariat; Ermelita Valdeavilla, Committee Chair and Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW); and ACW representatives from all 11 ASEAN Member States.

During the session, GGI shared updates on its regional activities, including:

• The first ASEAN launch of Guardian Girls Vovinam in Hanoi, Viet Nam, in partnership with the World Vovinam Federation, held on September 16–17, 2025; and

• The launch of the Guardian Girls Ju-Jitsu project in Bangkok, in collaboration with the Ju-Jitsu International Federation.

These initiatives marked significant milestones in expanding Guardian Girls programs across ASEAN through partnerships with international sports federations and national stakeholders.

Prior to the ACW meeting, Shin Koyamada held a formal meeting with Deputy Secretary-General San Lwin at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta on November 7, 2025, to further strengthen the institutional relationship between GGI and ASEAN and to explore future areas of collaboration.

The 24th ACW Meeting concluded with renewed commitments, reaffirming the ACW’s role as a cornerstone of ASEAN’s efforts to ensure that women’s leadership continues to drive the region’s collective progress. H.E. Ermelita Valdeavilla expressed her appreciation to the ASEAN Secretariat for its continued support and coordination; to Dialogue and Development Partners for their sustained commitment; and to ASEAN delegations for their active engagement and contributions toward advancing women’s empowerment across the region.

Under the Philippines’ Chairship, the ACW reaffirmed its vision of an ASEAN where gender equality is central to regional development, working toward a more inclusive and resilient future for the next generation.