<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A global self-defence program that aims to give women and girls the tools to protect themselves has just arrived in Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Guardian Girls course will hold its first seminar in the country in Adelaide tomorrow, teaching self-defence skills women can use in real-life scenarios, providing the tools to protect themselves from gendered violence. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jacqui McConville has enrolled her 13-year-old daughter Ellie to help keep her safe. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/carolina-wilga-search-for-backpacker-missing-from-outback-wa-expands-across-australia/91d37c37-34cd-4f4a-9c22-a16cf6ebfa4e"><strong><span>Search for missing backpacker in outback intensifies after van found empty</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Anything that you can learn from a physical element to protect yourself and in a social environment, it definitely would have helped me more," Jacqui said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If I can give her the opportunity to have skills that kick in, that's a good thing." </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She says self-defence skills are "almost a necessity" given the rate of violence against women in Australia.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/karate-womens-self-defence-program-adelaide/94d6917e-9d72-4776-97e6-b79e75c5ebc7" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ellie Hibberd, a participant in the program, agrees.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I think it's really important that people, especially young girls, learn how to do stuff because it does come into play and it's scary that it does," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/multiple-pedestrians-hit-by-car-in-melbourne/56b9a06c-3aac-407e-b554-2ff0fa4d06c8"><strong><span>Woman killed, young boy and man fighting for life after car veered onto footpath</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>9News sat in as a training session was conducted for instructors who will deliver the course across Australia and the Pacific. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This will be an opportunity to spread it all over," World Karate Federation chief executive Sara Wolff said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Instructors say the simple moves, which need no prior experience or technique to execute, could save lives.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"People walk in feeling nervous, a little bit anxious and nervous, and they walk out feeling empowered and strong, owning their own space and that's really what we want to give them," Guardian Girls chief instructor Amy Connell said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Karate Australia hopes to roll out 50 programs in the next 12 months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>