TAGAYTAY CITY — An official of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) on Friday vowed to strengthen the movement’s program to further empower girls and young women across the country.
“We, as girls scouts, will continue to make our girls realize that women are not only put on a pedestal. They are revered as individuals–whatever their convictions are must be respected, their aspirations must be made possible,” GSP national president Susan Locsin told a press conference at the organization’s 24th National Council Convention at Summit Ridge Hotel in Tagaytay City.
Locsin said the GSP would boost its efforts in the field to address the social issues faced by women, particularly combating gender-based violence and discrimination.
Apart from honing leadership and entrepreneurial skills, the GSP program includes developing body confidence, fighting violence against women, “Free Being Me”, and other activities to build self-confidence and self-esteem.
Locsin said these girl scouts would not only empower themselves, but also members of their community.
“Our girls would be our conduit to the community to make sure that it’s not just the programs that we introduce to our girls for their self-development, but in turn, they must give back to the community,” Locsin said.
The National Council is GSP’s highest consultative and deliberative body, which sets the strategic direction of the organization for the next three years.
Locsin said the GSP would also beef up its membership among students to include membership into Catholic Girl Scouting and Girl Guiding in the Philippines, and reinforce its presence in communities through girl-led development projects under the GSP’s Eight-Point challenge.
Among the highlights of the convention include the election of new leaders that will complete the 37-member Central Board for Triennium 2018-2021, and Convention and Triennial Awards recognizing individuals and institutions for their support to girl scouting.
Around 300 delegates composed of the incumbent Central Board Members-at-Large, Life Members, newly-elected or re-elected Regional Chairpersons and Girl Representatives to the Central Board, newly-elected or re-elected Council Presidents, Council Executives, and professional staff attended the convention.
The GSP is the largest character-building organization for girls and young women, with around 2.7 million members in the country. (PNA)
