June 20 - World Refugee Day

WAGGGS as an organisation dedicated to the development of girls and young women clearly has a role in improving the lives of refugee women and girls. WAGGGS believes that Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting provides valuable skills and experiences that enable refugee girls and young women to improve their lives. For many years, WAGGGS has been encouraging and supporting its Member Organisations to develop projects and programmes that they have undertaken with refugees. 
 
Refugee girls and young women have a different set of circumstances and life experiences from other girls and young women with whom WAGGGS works. They are amongst the most vulnerable of all those participating in Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting programmes. Yet, where refugee girls and young women are offered appropriate Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting, they are also among the most enthusiastic participants. They have a great deal to benefit from Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting’s expertise and experience in the development of girls and young women.  

Refugee girls and young women must cope with losing their homes, a lack of resources and an uncertain future. Consequently, refugee girls and young women have very few opportunities to develop their potential - they are often traumatised and concentrate their energies on adapting to their lives as refugees. Yet, Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting can play an important role in helping refugee girls and young women to rebuild their lives. It can provide them with skills to cope with life in a refugee camp, opportunities to develop as individuals and become involved in the community and the chance to discuss their situation, hopes and aspirations with other girls and young women.   

Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting can help refugee girls and young women to deal with problems they face every day. It provides a non-formal educational structure with adult leaders and links to community services. The skills and experiences gained through Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting will have effects that will carry on into refugee girls’ adult lives and into new places where they might be resettled.   

A useful tool, edited by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Working with refugee Girls and Women is available for further information.