World Scouting Welcomes the Boy Scouts of America’s Decision to Include Girls in All Programmes

World Scouting warmly welcomes the decision of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to open the remaining areas of their programme to girls and young women. It is particularly historic that this decision was made on the International Day of the Girl which celebrates the world’s commitment to empower and develop girls and young women.

Scouting’s commitment to co-educational non-formal education and the empowerment of young people is demonstrated in more than 200 countries and territories. As the umbrella organisation for the Scout Movement globally, we strongly believe that equal opportunity for all is reinforced by this decision.

We are confident that many thousands of girls and young women in the United States will benefit from being able to choose the youth work setting that best suits them and their family, and access BSA’s prestigious Scouting programmes such as the Eagle Scout.

Throughout the world, Scouting recognises the value and importance of providing girls and young women with the opportunity to develop personal skills that equip them to play an equal part in our global society. As the world’s largest educational youth movement, we welcome and will actively support any change that helps to release the full potential of all young people.

We hope that this change will inspire more actions, not just in Scouting, but in all aspects of our global society. Our over 50 million members worldwide will continue to use their skills and energy to play an active part in creating a better world for all young people.

Download the press release here.

Photo credit: © World Scout Bureau Inc./Nicolas Mercier