Report by a Girl Guide

October 11 is celebrated annually as International Day of the Girl. This year, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is encouraging girls and young women around the world to make their voices heard by taking part in the #HearMeNow campaign. This campaign gives girls a platform to raise the causes they care about, in the hope that around the world we can all work together towards an equal future. But what issues are likely to be raised by girls and young women around the world? Late last year, a survey of 14 to 18 year old Girl Guides in the Perth North Metro Region found that the top 4 issues identified by the girls were: Climate Change, LGBTQ+ Rights, Body Positivity and Diversity. These issues reflect areas of concern for girls around the globe and have been recognised by WAGGGS with the creation of resource kits and challenges to help girls better understand and take action on these issues. WAGGGS has provided resource kits for topics such as Biodiversity, Food Security, Climate Change, Forests, Plastic Use and Gender. WAGGGS also has a “Free Being Me” program which empowers girls through improving body confidence and self-esteem. ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ was chosen as the theme of this year’s World Thinking Day, a day celebrated in February every year by Guides and Scouts around the world. The UK Girl Guide movement has also recently published resources that help include disabled members, members from different socio-economic backgrounds, members with different belief systems and LGBTQ+ members. Advocating for change has been part of the Girl Guide and Girl Scout Movement from the start, and being part of the Movement today gives most members the desire to make a difference in society. Every year, Girl Guides are invited to send representatives to United Nations Conferences. Around the world, girls are currently working on projects to make a difference in their local communities and are speaking out on issues that need to be tackled. Here in Western Australia, Guides have had opportunities in recent years to participate in

“the top 4 issues identified by the girls were: Climate Change, LGBTQ+ Rights, Body Positivity and Diversity.”

an authentic recreation of the United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women, to “take over” Parliament for a day, to receive advocacy training from Members of Parliament, to march in the annual Perth Pride Parade and to join Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Guide Units. On this year’s International Day of the Girl, all Australians should be keen to see which issues are raised by girls and what actions need to be taken by Governments and individuals to address those issues.

Natalie Hewitt, 17 North Dianella Melaleuca Girl Guides

Lisa O'Malley MLA and Katrina Lane presenting Natalie Hewitt with her Queen's Guide Award