Here at Girl Guides, we’re working towards a pretty important Vision – A better world, by girls. We do this by offering programs and activities that support girls in empowering themselves and one another.
What does #abetterworldbygirls look like for Girl Guides in Winnipeg? Connecting with female role models and mentors and discovering the impact of women in political office.
Girl Guide Day at the legislature was designed to enlighten girls about opportunities for girls and women in politics and ultimately make them feel empowered about the impact they can make. The day began with the Speaker of the House, the Honourable Myrna Driedger, greeting girls and congratulating everyone for making history.
As the day’s activities began, the girls filed into the chamber and took their seats filling the roles of the Assembly Members. It was amazing to see how eager the girls were to learn more about how government works. Question after question was asked and question after question was answered by the girls’ mentors for the day – female members of the Assembly.
The girls held their own debate sessions, with subjects relevant to their everyday lives – for example, the pros and cons of longer or shorter school days and whether the voting age should be lowered to 12. It was impressive to see how much thought the girls put into their debates. They really weighed all the options with their partners when discussing a topic and their arguments were compelling.
This is where I believe Guiding plays a vital role in these girls’ lives. Where else would they have been given this kind of opportunity to make this kind of history? They were eager and excited to speak their minds – to be listened to and taken seriously in the legislature. As a young adult witnessing their reactions to the statistics the girls heard on women in politics, I was proud at their stunned faces. One girl was so shocked she said she was going to grow up and become a an elected official so she could make a difference.
Guest post by Kira Sousa, 19, a first-year Guider in Winnipeg. She volunteers with Guides and Pathfinders, and always looks forward to big outings and events with Guiding. Follow her Guiding activities on Instagram: @ life.of.a.girl.guide
Show us what #abetterworldbygirls looks like to you through our Instagram campaign. It’s easy to participate – post a picture that speaks to you, answer the question using the hashtag #abetterworldbygirls, tag @girlguidesofcanada and three other friends.
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