Vovinam matters to addressing gender-based violations

THE HANOI TIMES — UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency believed that Vovinam, a martial art rooted in Vietnamese tradition and spirit would work in preventing and protecting gender-based violations.

The idea was shared by Matt Jackson, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam following the launch of the global Guardian Girls Vovinam (GGV) project that provides women and girls with practical self-defense skills, gender-based violence prevention knowledge and the confidence to assert their rights and personal agency.

“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,” Matt Jackson told The Hanoi Times.

“Guardian Girls Vovinam reflects this vision by using Vietnam’s traditional martial arts to empower women and girls with practical skills, confidence and a sense of agency,” Jackson shared this following the launch of the project last month.

He affirmed that 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.”

Guardian Girls Vovinam project

The GGV project, certified female instructors trained under a standardized curriculum, will lead seminars, academies, and educational outreach in communities worldwide.

Launched in partnership between Guardian Girls International, World Vovinam Federation, UNFPA and Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, the project aims to empower women and girls through Vietnamese martial arts and sport.

The project was formalized through the signing of the historic memorandum of understanding between the Guardian Girls International (GGI) and the World Vovinam Federation (WVVF), officially launching the global rollout of the GGV project in Vietnam.

The launch of the project positions Vietnam as the first ASEAN country, and the first with an international sports federation headquartered in Southeast Asia, to formally join the GGI movement. Vietnam 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. It directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality), integrating sport with social impact, safeguarding and community engagement.

“It is especially meaningful to begin this journey in Vietnam, the birthplace of Vovinam, where culture, tradition and resilience are deeply woven into the national identity,” Shin Koyamada, Co-founder and Board Chairman of Guardian Girls International, said at the launch of the project. He noted that the project helps make transformation, dignity and the freedom to live without fear.

Dr. Mai Huu Tin, President of the World Vovinam Federation, said this project brings the power of our martial art to serve society in a profound new way and the collaboration with GGI ensures that the principles of equality, safety and respect are deeply rooted in the Vovinam movement.

On this occasion, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Naoki Ito shared that Japan has a long-standing commitment to promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women and girls, so supporting Guardian Girls Vietnam enable them to continue that commitment, honoring both innovation and tradition.

He said the project, utilizing traditional Vietnamese martial art Vovinam, reflects the shared values of Japan and Vietnam in advancing the rights, safety and empowerment of women and girls.

 

Gender-based violations in Vietnam

Matt Jackson said that gender-based violence exists in every society, in every country. One in three women globally experiences physical or sexual abuse during their lifetime; every day, 33 thousand girls marry before the age of 18; and 72% of human trafficking victims are women or girls.

In Vietnam, national surveys show that nearly 2 in 3 women experience physical, sexual, emotional or economic violence in their lifetime, yet 90% do not seek help from services.

“By bringing together martial arts, gender equality and global solidarity, we are sending a powerful message that violence against women and girls has no place in our societies,” UNFPA Representative Jackson stated.

He said this Guardian Girls Initiative speaks directly to UNFPA’s core mandate, it’s to end gender-based violence and to ensure that every woman and young person can live free from fear with dignity and bodily autonomy.

Jackson affirmed that the project reflects Vietnam’s commitment to ending GBV, ensuring women’s empowerment, and also supporting the rich cultural heritage of Vovinam.

On this occasion, Master Tran Van My, President of Vietnam Vovinam Federation, shared with The Hanoi Time that the project is not only about martial arts but it helps build a humane, equal and safe society for women worldwide.

Founded in 1938 by Master Nguyen Loc,  Vovinam  goes beyond self-defense to embody the motto “Live, help others live and live for everyone,” shaping strong, compassionate people who serve their communities across five continents.

“Amid global concerns over gender violence, Guardian Girls Vovinam links this philosophy with universal human values, giving women self-defense skills as well as calmness, confidence and courage, and affirming their right to safety, respect and protection,” said My.

The master called on all Vovinam practitioners to inspire and support women, making Guardian Girls Vovinam a milestone of Vietnamese martial arts’ international reach and a movement for gender equality and human rights.

“A peaceful world begins with the safety of women and a fair society begins with respect for girls,” he stated.