Creating open spaces of self-empowerment within Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting starts with creating a safe and brave space.
What is a Safe and Brave Space?
A safe and brave space is relative to your context. However, the very basic concepts we need to consider are respect and trust. A safe and brave space is an environment where participants can comfortably voice their ideas, questions and concerns. In this atmosphere, everyone is respected and listened to. We know that people learn better in a space where they can fully participate - free of violence in any form, harm, risks, biases, and discrimination.
Your role in creating and maintaining safe and brave spaces
as a Girl Guide/ Girl Scout:
Practising and Promoting Respect
- Listen and be present
- Give others a chance to speak
- Be thoughtful of other people's feelings. Refrain from saying things or doing acts that may hurt people and make people feel excluded.
Gaining and Preserving Trust
- Do not share or disclose information about other members of your group
- When something makes you or someone else uncomfortable, do not hesitate to speak up and report it to your adult leader or to someone you trust.
- If someone shares with you that they are not feeling safe, tell them that you are here to help and ask them if you can share their concern for them. Do not tell their concern to anyone except the correct authorities that could help solve their problem. If you believe that they are in danger, ask for help immediately.
as a leader, trainer, or facilitator:
Practising and Promoting Respect
- As a group, come up with clear guidelines to promote respect and openness for everyone and agree on how the group will keep to the guidelines.
- Be aware of what is happening in your community and the world that may be impacting your group members.
- Be mindful of your facilitation approach to make sure all voices have a space to be heard.
- Avoid making generalisations when speaking about different issues.
- Be ready to adapt your programme. If the group is deep in a powerful conversation, it is fine to change the plans, so they have more time to work through that conversation.
Gaining and Preserving Trust
- Vocally state that your space is safe for all who wish to participate.
- Stress the importance of confidentiality.
- Plan how you will support group members to speak up or seek support if they don’t feel safe and communicate this to the group.
as a leader of an organisation:
Practising and Promoting Respect
- Create guidelines that will foster an organisational culture that promotes respect and zero tolerance for discrimination.
- Include and promote the participation of different age groups during discussions or consultations on your national programme.
Gaining and Preserving Trust
- Lead your group in coming up with and/or implementing a Safeguarding policy.
- Establish support desks or committees that protect the anonymity of members who seek support.
- Model the behaviour you seek and mainstream it through your policies.