Advocacy– or speaking out to influence those in positions of power– is an integral part of the Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting movement and our Free Being Me partnership.

Together with our programme partner, the Dove Self Esteem Project (DSEP), we developed an activity pack specifically focused on advocacy and named it Action on Body Confidence (ABC).

Through it, young people identify the biggest body confidence and self-esteem issues in their communities and plan projects to address them at their root; influencing power holders to change the way their society works.

We believe that is only by pairing education with advocacy that we will realise the transformative change we seek: a world free from appearance-based discrimination and anxiety.

Young Women’s Advocacy Network (YWAN)

Many young women who have participated in WAGGGS programmes – including our Free Being Me partnership – can join a network of young women who we train and support to run their own national-level advocacy projects, and engage in global-level advocacy events.

Since 2018 we have helped over 30 young women launch their own ABC advocacy campaigns. And our growing network of advocates have hosted a number of important events in global advocacy spaces including at the High-Level Political Forum, Commission on the Status of Women, YOUNGA, and the United Nations General Assembly.

By connecting young people directly with top decision-makers and industry leaders, we are co-creating lasting solutions for a more inclusive, sustainable, body confident world.

Meet the advocates here.

YWAN is for young women who have a strong passion for body confidence and image discrimination and are keen to make a difference through advocacy. We train young women to realise their leadership capabilities and deliver strong girl-led advocacy projects, with the support of our Dove Self-Esteem Project, Centre for Appearance Research and national Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting association partners.

Recruitment for YWAN is communicated directly to all national Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting associations; and through social media.

The Dove Youth Board

In 2020 DSEP made a commitment to hearing from the frontline, developing their first youth-led youth advisory board.  As a long standing partner, young women from YWAN are invited to put themselves forward to join the board. All roles on The Dove Youth Board are currently filled but new vacancies will be advertised here so please check back regularly.

Resources

Download the Action on Body Confidence curriculum today.