The role of the Scout movement is acknowledged throughout the world in training youths practically on a regular basis, along with their basic education, to build themselves as perfect citizens, regardless of their nationality, religion or caste.

Scouting began in India-Pakistan-Bangladesh in 1920. Scouting was in this land with its name as ‘East Pakistan Boy Scout Association’. Under the Presidential Order No, 111 of 11 September 1972, the Bangladesh Boy Scout Association was formed in independent Bangladesh. Gradually, to create opportunity for both for boys and girls to join scouting, the Bangladesh Boy Scout Association changed its name to ‘Bangladesh Scouts’ on 30th December 1978 under the government gazette notification ‘The Bangladesh Boy Scout Samity (Amendment) ordinance, 1978 (Ordinance No. LIV of 1978). Bangladesh Scouts spread its organizational structure to the 460 thanas of 64 districts of the country, which covers the country’s remote areas. Bangladesh scouts aims to tap the young generation to groom them as independent, confident, patriotic with high morality.

In Bangladesh boys and girls study together from primary schools to universites.. Bangladesh Scouts is trying its level best to create a congenial environment in all educational institutions throughout the country by offering practical scout programmes. The professionals & volunteer scout leaders are devoted to promoting scouting in all educational institutions.

Nearly 90% of the educational institutions are co-educational in both rural and urban Bangladesh. The boys of these institutions create instances by offering themselves in national or local emergencies such as natural calamities, the basis of this scouting background. This aroused interest and eagerness in the girls to join scouting and applied to Bangladesh Scouts authorities to be enrolled in the movement. The demand to enrol girls in scouting was also raised on behalf of the teachers and guardians from all over the country. Bangladesh Scouts issued a circular throughout the country to enrol girls in the Scout movement as per the 22nd April 1991 resolution of World Scout Committee. Bangladesh Scouts enrolled girls and arranged training for them n an experimental basis. This showed remarkably encouraging results.

The first ‘Girls-in-Scout Unit’ was launched experimentally at Mouchak Scout High School prior to the 5th National and 14th Asia-Pacific Scout Jamboree on January 1994. It was a success story, as one patrol of the said girls-in-scout unit attended the Asia-Pacific Jamboree, lived in tents as boys and participated in all the Jamboree activities. It was an inspiration for both boys and girls and created a ground to launch ‘girls-in-scouting’ in the country.

Bangladesh Scouts amendment its Policy & Rules to create opportunity for girls to join the scout movement, at its 21st National Council meeting on 24th March 1994. Earlier in January 1994, during the inauguration of the 5th National & 14th Asia-Pacific Jamboree, the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh appreciated the participation of the girls and declared to launch the ‘Girls-in-Scouting’ in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Scouts issued request letters to the Regional Scout Presidents on 18th June 1994, regarding ‘Girls-in-scouting’ and held a national workshop for its implementation. Participants of the workshop unanimously agreed to commence the girl-in-scouting. Finally 18th June 1994, Bangladesh Scouts issued formal circular to all concerned to open girls-in-scout units and organised training programme for women to be scout leaders.

However, where Girl Guide units exist, Bangladesh Scouts does not encourage Girls-in-scouting units. If there are demands authorities of those institutions need permission from the National Headquarters of Bangladesh Scout prior to opening of Girls-in-scouting units. Students, both boys and girls of all institutions have to be a member of any of the following movements - scout, guide, BNCC, Red Crescent, Kanchi-Kancha, Khela ghar etc. Students make then own choice and there is no compulsion or binding from any quarters.

The World Association of Girl Guide & Girl Scout (WAGGGS) claimed in a letter sent to the Secretary General of World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) that Bangladesh Scout cannot use the word “GIRL SCOUT” as only WAGGGS members are authorised to use it. WOSM Secretary General suggested Bangladesh Scouts to use “SCOUT” for both boys and girls. He wrote, ‘Scout is under WOSM constitution an expression which comprises both girls and boys in Scouting’. The member countries of WOSM, which have boy and girl members, use “girl-in-scouting’ instead of ‘girl scout’, to refer the girl members in the scout movement. As per 1991 census, the girls-in-scouting exists in 78 countries including many Muslim countries. Bangladesh Scout welcomes all girls & women to be a proud member of this movement. Since 1994, girls-in-scouting is growing day by day.

At present the number of girl-in-scouting members in Bangladesh scouts is one lakh seven thousand one hundred forty six, including Rover Scout leaders, Rover Scouts, Scout leader, Scouts, Cub Scouts.

	Najma Shams National Commissioner (Girls in Scouting) Bangladesh Scouts National Head Quarters 60 Anjuman Mufidul Islam Road, Kakrial, Dhaka-1000. Telephone: +88 01711-148599 (Cell),                    +8802 9872994 (Res) Fax            :+8802 9342226 Email         : nshams@yahoo.com

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