Girl guides help to build confidence, self-esteem and empower the next generation of future leaders in Fiji.
While closing the Fiji Girl Guides national camp 2023 on Wednesday night at the Queen Victoria School grounds, Education Ministry permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca said girl guides empowered girls to become leaders, contributing to community development.
The three-day camp hosted more than 600 girl guides from around the country who were engaged in various activities such as rope climbing, knot tying, first aid and recreational trips around Suva.
“Being a girl guide is extremely important, being a girl guide means you are very empowered,” Ms Kuruleca said.
“There are various lessons that we have introduced in our schools and one of them is ‘Champions of Change’ when we talk about the empowerment of girls and the engagement of boys.
“This teaches you important skills that will help you become independent and successful leaders.”
She said the practical skills learned at camp such as first aid and outdoor skills can be applied in future careers and personal lives.
“If you look at research, all the research in the world will tell you that when you educate a child, you educate a community.
“When you educate a girl, you educate the community for the rest of their lives.
“When we educate girls, we also contribute significantly to the attainment of our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“For an educated girl, such as yourselves, this is something empowerment programs such as this will bring out.”
She adds community involvement and service projects at the girl guides help to promote social responsibility and empathy for others, which are key to mental health.
The camp ended on Wednesday and the participants returned home yesterday.
