The initiative aimed at preventing gender-based violence and providing self-defence skills through karate to women and girls was introduced in the Irish city following the lates leg of the Karate 1-Premier League.

This year saw the project make its presence felt in Cairo, Rabat, Madrid and Fukuoka.

The presentation in Dublin saw President of the Irish Karate Federation (ONAKAI) Chris Kelly, Women in Sport Lead with Sport Ireland Nora Stapleton, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Japan to Ireland Norimasa Yoshida and WKF general secretary Toshihisa Nagura among others participate.

"We started this project last year, almost one year ago in Los Angeles, United States, and then this year we did this initiative in Cairo, Madrid, Rabat, and Fukuoka," Nagura said.

"And now here in Dublin. Next month, we will have a big seminar in Budapest, Hungary, when we have our World Championships.

"Next year, we have a plan to establish the so-called Guardian Girls Karate Academy in each country of our 200 National Federations all over the world.

"And we hope that in each country, National Federations can establish the Guardian Girls Karate Academies."

The programme was held with support form Koyamada International Foundation (KIF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Following the presentation, over 30 women from the Irish capital took part in a self-defence seminar.

"This is a very important initiative to promote gender equality and empower women to defend themselves from all forms of gender-based violence across the world," Kelly said.

"As president, I give my commitment that we will promote this project through the National Federation and in conjunction with our women's sports team and with the help of Sport Ireland."