Action on Body Confidence (ABC) is an activity pack that supports young people to plan and run their own advocacy projects to improve people’s body confidence. Groups begin by identifying the biggest body confidence issues in their community and then plan a project that demands change from people with the power to really do something about them.

Who is it for?

We recommend ABC to groups who have completed Free Being Me and are ready to inspire even more people by taking action! Action on Body Confidence is a 5-session programme for children and young people aged 7-10 and 11-25.

How is this different from Free Being Me?

WAGGGS and the Dove Self Esteem Project have been in global partnership since 2013, bringing the Free Being Me body confidence activities to over 6.5 million girls and boys by the end of 2021.

During this time, we created Action on Body Confidence in response to your feedback, asking for support to take action that doesn’t only raise awareness, but also asks for change from decision-makers and people in positions of power.

The Free Being Me body confidence activities primarily help young people to gain self-esteem for themselves. Whereas the Action on Body Confidence activities equip young people with the skills to identify the biggest body confidence issues in their lives and then design a ‘Take Action’ project which make positive changes to the world around them.

Action on Body Confidence activities can be done alongside Free Being Me. Together they will help young people create a world free from appearance-related anxiety, where we are all free to be ourselves!

Why should we take part?

Recent global Dove Self-Esteem Project research has shown that when girls don’t feel good about the way they look, 8 in 10 opt of important life activities such as engaging with friends or loved ones, and 7 in 10 have not been assertive in their option or stuck to a decision. When girls don’t have confidence in their appearance, they are being held back from reaching their full potential.

 

What is included in the programme?

Through age-appropriate activities including games, creative activities, surveys and discussions, you will uncover the problems that low body confidence causes children and young people in your society, and you’ll plan your own Action Project to make change happen.

After you’ve taken Action, you will share what you did online with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts worldwide, to inspire others and become part of the global body confidence movement.

Your group will earn the Action on Body Confidence badge, available from the WAGGGS online shop or from your national association.

 

Four Challenges

You should complete each challenge to gain your Action on Body Confidence badge. As a guide, we have suggested the number of sessions you will need per challenge, however you are encouraged to do the programme at your own pace.

Challenge 1: See the change 

Challenge 2: Plan the change

Challenge 3: Make the change

Challenge 4: Share the change

 

Where can I find the programme?

Download it here! 

Sharing your action!

Go to the Share your Story page to share your group’s project or be inspired by other people’s ideas.