Over the last couple of days there has been a lot in the press about the new head of GirlGuiding UK. She's being lauded as a "feminist" and as a result the assumption has been that she will make GirlGuiding a feminist organisation. Julie Bentley is the new Chief Executive of GirlGuiding UK and comes with a very extensive background in working to improve women's safety and rights- working with both the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and the Family Planning Association.
As a member of this organisation I'm a little confused. Why would you think GirlGuiding was NOT a feminist organisation? Surely all a feminist organisation is is one which believes that women are equally capable as men and have the same rights as men. What worries me more is that there may be organisations that are not feminist.
{Just because we take things seriously, doesn't mean we don't have fun}
For the last 102 years women and girls have been pushing the envelope of what girls can do. When Guiding first began in 1910 girls were discouraged from running as it was unladylike. Over the years girls learned everything from engineering to first aid skills. From radio operator to serving in war torn Europe after the war.
{Some of the women who are pushing Guiding forward ,}
Today girls run information and awareness raising session through their peer educator schemes on everything from bullying to sexual health. They complete volunteering work in their communities. They learn how to become confident and independent contributers to society. They learn to look after their physical, emotional and mental health. They do all this as well as all the fun you normally associate with GirlGuiding- we do love a camp!
Girl Guiding provides thousands of safe spaces every single week up and down the country. Places where girls can make friends with girls from every kind of background and ability. They encourage, support and push each other to be everything they can be.
If that makes us a feminist organisation, fantastic. GirlGuiding isn't just about baking and camping, and I am glad that we have a Chief Executive who won't be scared to tackle the difficult issues facing girls today because I know a lot of leaders and girls who are ready to face the challenges head on.
