Motion 32 - Young Women in Governance Study (16th European Guide and Scout Conference)

Beth (left) and Leah (right) at the 16th European Guide and Scout Conference

During the 16th European Guide and Scout Conference in Split, Croatia, we attended a session about understanding why there are fewer young women in decision-making roles. We caught up with Leah and Beth, two members of the group that are working on this project, to find out more.

Who are you?

Beth is from South West England. She first joined Girlguiding as a Rainbow and now volunteers with Rainbows and Guides. She is also an Action for Change Network Coach (https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/girls-making-change/ways-to-take-action/action-for-change-campaign/), as part of Girlguiding's advocacy network.

Leah is a research officer at Girlguiding HQ and has worked on the Girls Attitudes Survey (https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/girls-making-change/girls-attitudes-survey/). Her job involves trying to understand the lives of girls and young women across the UK, and using that evidence to make change in society.

Leah and Beth are both members of the Motion 32 project team.


What is Motion 32?

During WAGGGS conferences conference documents are released containing 'motions', which are proposals that are put out for member organisations (e.g. Girlguiding UK) to vote on.

Motion 32 was put forward at the last WAGGGS World Conference in India in 2017 (https://www.wagggs.org/en/about-us/governance/world-conference/36th-world-conference/). It centered around the lack of young women in decision making roles in WAGGGS, and the fact that there were no candidates under the age of 30 running for election for the World Committee in that year. The motion aimed to promote more age diversity within the highest levels of governance.

When the time came to vote, Motion 32 was passed.

Since this decision, the world board has been working to investigate why more young women aren't taking up decision making roles at a global, national and regional level within the Guiding movement.


 What is the Young Women Research Team?

The Young Women Research Team is a group formed of 2 young women aged 18-30 from each WAGGGS region - that is the Europe, Western Hemisphere, Asia Pacific, Africa and Arab regions. Leah and Beth are both part of the Young Women Research Team representing the Europe Region.

What are your goals?

The aim of the project is to develop a better understanding of any barriers stopping young women from taking up decision making roles. We want to hear from Girl Guides and Girl Scouts across Europe (and globally) so that we can suggest possible solutions. We hope these suggestions will see more young women take up decision making roles that are equal and meaningful.


How can Member Organisations get involved?

MOs (e.g. Girlguiding UK) can support young women to have their voices heard by encouraging them to complete our online survey on this issue: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JYH9KZB

We also have a range of other surveys available for those who are not young women (18-30) but would still like to share their thoughts and experiences.

'Wall of Women' at the WAGGGS Europe Conference 2019, celebrating young women in decision making roles.

What are your next steps?

Leah and Beth presenting Motion 32

Our next steps include reviewing the opinions gathered during the regional conference from interviews, polls and workshops.

In December we will meet with the rest of the Young Women Research Team to share, compare and analyse our findings. We will then write a report which will highlight key findings and provide reccomendations on how to improve the situation. This report will be shared in July at the next World Conference, where Member Organisations across the five WAGGGS regions will meet to discuss Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting issues.


Getting In Touch

If you have any questions you can contact Beth and Leah at leah.widdicombe@girlguiding.org.uk