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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada (GGC) recognizes and values the richness of human diversity in its many forms, and therefore strives to ensure environments where girls and women from all walks of life, identities, and lived experiences feel a sense of belonging and can participate fully. This commitment to inclusion means GGC's culture, programming, and practices encourage self-awareness and awareness of others; room for difference; and environments where girls and women feel safe, respected, supported, and inspired to reach their potential.

Guiding is for Everyone is a comprehensive resource that outlines GGC’s framework and guidelines for achieving diversity, equity and inclusion. It also provides guidance for staff and members on making activities, events, and programming inclusive.

Girl Guides is a place for everyone to come together and learn, and we can only learn when we feel safe and supported. For everyone to experience safe space, racialized girls and women need to feel welcome and seen as a valuable part of Guiding. To be a catalyst for girls empowering girls, we need to work together to become anti-racist. As the leading organization for girls and women in Canada, Girl Guides is dedicated to using our voice and addressing racism. Our Anti-Racism Resource supports our volunteers, staff and all members to better understand the role they can play. Download the Anti-Racism Resource.

Inclusion of Transgender and Non-binary Members

Girl Guides of Canada welcomes girls and women – cisgender and transgender – as well as non-binary people who are comfortable in spaces that focus on and are driven by the experience of girls.

Our Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Non-binary Members assist our members in creating safer and more inclusive spaces. If you require assistance, please reach out to inclusivity@girlguides.ca

Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Non-binary Members - English | French

Accessibility

In fulfilling its Mission, Girl Guides of Canada – Guides du Canada (GGC) endeavours to respect the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. GGC is committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access its services as others, and to allowing people with and without disabilities to benefit from the same services in the same places and in similar ways. The following documents support this policy:

Consult Safe Guide for more information on GGC Procedures for Activity Planning and Safety Management.

If you are a member of GGC and would like to see our full collection of Inclusivity and Accessibility documents, please visit the Inclusivity & Accessibility page on Member Zone.

If you have feedback or questions regarding GGC's accessibility policy and procedures please contact inclusivity@girlguides.ca

Branch name change

Girl Guides of Canada changed the name of our branch for 7-and-8-year-olds to Embers. With this change, we hope even more girls will see Guiding as a space where they can just be themselves.

Read more about this branch name change and watch the new Ember story.