Girl Guides and Scouts in Burkina Faso: Two Thriving Movements

Burkina Faso Has Both: Girl Guides and Scouts, Each 100,000+ Strong

Yes, Burkina Faso hosts active, nationally recognized organizations for both girls and boys, affiliated with world bodies.

Association des Girl Guides du Burkina Faso (AGGBF)

• Affiliation: WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts).
• Members: >100,000 girls and young women.
• Programs: Leadership/life skills, health education (SRHR, malaria, nutrition), environmental action, vocational training (sewing, soap-making, IT), sports, advocacy (child marriage, FGM).
• Support: Safe spaces for girls facing poverty, violence, displacement.

Association des Scouts du Burkina Faso (ASBF)

• Affiliation: WOSM (World Organization of the Scout Movement).
• Members: >100,000 boys and young men.
• Programs: Leadership, outdoor education (camping, orienteering), community service (reforestation, hygiene campaigns), sports, peacebuilding.
• Support: Vulnerable youth (street children, displaced).

Context

• Burkina Faso: 23M people, 65% under 25, Sahel crisis (jihadist insurgency, 2M displaced).
• Guides/Scouts = **critical civil society** — filling gaps in education, protection, civic engagement.
• Joint activities: JOTA/JOTI (radio/internet), national camps, SDG projects.

In a fragile state, the Guide and Scout movements are **resilience infrastructure**—empowering youth to lead, serve, and hope.