About the regions

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is composed of five regions: Africa, Arab, Asia Pacific, Europe and Western Hemisphere.

Through its regional structure, WAGGGS’ supports Member Organizations to develop their programmes and leadership initiatives, to implement advocacy programmes and work on advocacy campaigns, and to offer membership benefits to a diverse group of girls and young women.

Africa Region

The Africa Region is composed of 500,000 girls in 31 countries. It offers girls and young women opportunities for leadership and personal development and non-formal education that they may not otherwise receive. Girls and young women in Africa work on projects focused around literacy, peace-building, nutrition, HIV and AIDS prevention, the prevention of violence against women and children and women’s rights.

Arab Region

Encompassing North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf Region, the region consists of more than 160,000 girls in 14 countries. In the Arab Region some cultural traditions make it difficult for many women to develop their full potential. How sensitive is this? Within their national Girl Guide/Girl Scout Association, girls and young women can develop life skills, improve self-esteem and develop leadership and decision-making skills which they can use within their associations, their communities and their everyday lives.

Asia Pacific Region

More than 2.5 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts are part of the region in 25 countries. The Region organizes a range of activities for different groups all offering fun and friendship as well as opportunities for personal development and education. Training of young leaders is a priority for the region and international courses and workshops enable young participants to develop their leadership qualities.

Europe Region

The Europe region comprises 66 Girl Guide and Girl Scout associations, with 1.2 million members in 39 countries. It supports the development of Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting in Europe, co-ordinating workshops to share best practice and promoting networking opportunities for partnerships. It is a strong advocate on issues important to girls and young women, influencing key European institutions such as the European Union.

Western Hemisphere Region

From Canada to Argentina via the Caribbean, the Western Hemisphere Region has over three million members across 36 countries. It aims to provide young women with the opportunity to develop their leadership and advocacy skills through participating in international events, seminars and workshops. It represents the views of young women of the region at the Latin American Youth Forum (FLAJ), a policy-making body focusing on youth issues and MOs work together on twinning projects.

How they work

Once every three years, delegates from Member Organization in each region come together at the Regional Conferences to discuss important issues concerning the development of Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting in the region. These events provide opportunities for training and sharing concerns, experiences and human resources.

The Regional Conferences also elect a Committee of six members to put its decisions into action. Each member serves for three years and can be re-elected for a second three-year term. The Committee should include at least one young woman under the age of thirty at the time of the election and shall elect from its members a Chairman, who will be a voting member of the World Board.

The Committee works closely with a permanent staff member based at WAGGGS’ World Bureau in London. The Regional director for Europe is based in the Europe Office, Brussels.

Each region also has staff working in the region, who support the Member Organizations with training, country visits and event management.