International Women’s Day: Gender Equality in Scouting in Europe

This International Women’s Day 2022, we in the European Scout Region wish to highlight how crucial gender equality is to our society and in Scouting specifically. Gender equality is a key priority encompassed in the diversity & inclusion work of the Region, and we firmly believe in the need for everyone to come together, to contribute and ensure all women and girls receive the respect & equality they deserve. Women and girls are all welcome in our movement in all of their diversity, and our main objective is to enable them to become the person they want to be regardless of enduring gender inequalities.

Having a diverse movement in Scouting brings structural and practical changes to the societies around us for the benefit of all. 

Take for example Bianca Iloaia Pirvulescu from Romania and Viviane Oguo from Spain, two recent recipients of the WOSM Messengers of Peace Heroes Award 2021. Bianca led a project that addressed the impacts of climate change. She and her group reached over 200 children, youth and community members in activities, awareness raising and committing to concrete solutions to do better for the planet, while Viviane has been leading an initiative that promotes inclusion and cultural understanding of the African diaspora in Spain through dialogue. We recently heard from them and the other European recipients of the Award at Scouting Day 2022 – which you can watch back here.

We recognise that part of valuing the girls and women in our society is about creating a society, and a Scouting environment that respects and supports them. Crucial to true gender equality is a society free from all forms of violence against women and girls. Today, 08 March 2022, the European Commission has presented its proposal for a new EU Directive that would introduce legislation to finally tackle this epidemic at a European level – an amazing step which we hope all European member states alongside the European Parliament will support as it goes through trialogue negotiations.

We hope you’ll join us in raising your voices as Scouts and supporters to ensure all women can live lives where they are enabled to reach their full potential, are heard, respected, and live free from exploitation, violence and harassment. Keep following us as we strive to realise this more just and gender equal world!