What is WAGGGS?
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is the largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women in the world. Robert Baden-Powell, First Baron Baden-Powell of Gilwell OM founded the Guide Movement in 1909, after a number of girls attended a Boy Scout Rally, and wanted to join the Boy Scouts. Baden-Powell felt that if girls and young women wished to join in, they should have their own name and movement, and a programme that suited their needs.

WAGGGS is the umbrella organisation comprising all national Girl Guide and Girl Scout organisations, which are made up of individual girls and young women, and their leaders.

What does WAGGGS do?
WAGGGS provides non-formal education programmes which develop girls and young women personally, spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially, intellectually and morally. Through Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting, young people meet and work with their peers, with their communities, and with the international community of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world.

How big is WAGGGS?
There are more than 1.5 million WAGGGS volunteers in the world. Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting exists in 145 countries with over 30 countries working towards membership. Total membership of the movement is approximately ten million.

How big is the Europe Region?
In Europe, approximately 1.2 million young people are members of the Europe Region WAGGGS. They belong to 38 Member Organisations, representing 65 national Girl Guide or Girl Scout Associations. Since 1990, 13 new Associations from Central and Eastern Europe have joined the Europe Region WAGGGS, 2 countries are working towards membership and the Europe Region is developing contacts with a further 2 countries. Therefore, the Region now supports Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting or is considering its development in 42 countries throughout Europe.

What is WAGGGS’ Mission and what does it mean?
WAGGGS’ Mission is ‘to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential, as responsible citizens of the world.’ Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting enables self-development and growth which allows girls and young women to make informed and responsible choices and decisions. Girls and young women are given opportunities to lead and to determine Girl Guide/Girl Scout programmes which enable them to become responsible for their own lives, for their peers and families, for their communities, for the environment, and for the world.

How is WAGGGS relevant to girls and young women today?
WAGGGS provides a unique platform for discussion, debate and decision-making for young women. WAGGGS is an international organisation which promotes cultural awareness, international peace, understanding and appreciation. WAGGGS provides leadership and decision-making training for young women through its programmes which promote and enable self-development and confidence building. WAGGGS’ projects address issues as diverse as reproductive health and the environment, the rights of children and young people, leadership training an d culture and heritage. Young women have the opportunity to meet with their peers around the world, and to participate in exciting international projects with major partners working at world level.

Why does WAGGGS focus on girls and young women?
Although the law in some countries guarantees equal opportunities for men and women, in many places girls do not have the same opportunities as boys. Despite great changes in the last 25 years, it is still true to say that ‘women are half the world’s population, work two thirds of the world’s working hours, receive one tenth of the world’s income and own one hundredth of the world’s property’ (UN Commission on the Status of Women). By focusing on girls and young women, WAGGGS ensures that it provides its members with appropriate programmes and training which will prepare them for leadership and partnership in what is essentially a man’s world. Girls and young women have the space to develop and learn life-skills in a supportive environment which equip them for equal partnership.

What is WAGGGS’ view on co-education of boys and girls?
WAGGGS believes that its Mission can be fulfilled in both female-only and co-educational settings, according to the needs and wishes of girls and young women in each country. Whether in a single-sex or co-educational environment, girls and young women have opportunities to develop leadership skills and self-realization.

Each Association aims to prepare girls and young women to take responsibility as equal partners with men in their society. Each member organisation has the right to use the method that best suits their needs, and the needs of their members.

Click here to visit www.wagggsworld.org and find out more about WAGGGS