Sindh Boy Scouts Association Empowering Youth
Sindh Boy Scouts Association 
Girls in Scouting is an exciting initiative under the Scout Association, Pakistan Boy Scout Association. Unlike the Girls Guide, which is a separate program with its own courses and activities, Girls in Scouting allows girls to participate in the same scouting activities as boys.
The purpose of Girls in Scouting is to provide equal opportunities for girls to engage in scouting activities. We believe in treating girls the same as boys, offering them the same experiences, badges, and ranks. This helps girls develop important life skills, enjoy fun activities, and contribute to their communities.
Scouting for girls has its roots in the early 20th century when Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the scouting movement, realized the interest of girls in joining scouting activities. In 1910, he established the Girl Guides, providing a platform for girls to engage in activities that promoted character building, leadership, and community service. While many countries continued to call this movement “Girl Scouts,” in countries under British influence, it became known as “Girl Guides.”
In Pakistan, the Girl Guides movement was introduced soon after independence, offering opportunities for girls to participate in various development activities. However, the more adventurous and co-ed nature of scouting was not available to girls until much later. In 2011, the Asia Pacific Region introduced the concept of “Girls in Scouting” alongside the traditional Boy Scouts. This was a pivotal change as it recognized the evolving roles of women in society, such as becoming engineers, pilots, and serving in the armed forces.
In May 2012, the first major step towards integrating girls into scouting in Pakistan was taken with the organization of the first integration camp in Islamabad. This camp was significant because it included 20 girl scouts from India and 20 girls from the Sindh province. This event marked the official beginning of girls’ scouting in Pakistan, providing a platform for girls to join and participate in scouting activities.
Later in October 2012, the SAARC Camp was held in Pakistan, bringing together girls from various SAARC countries. This event significantly increased the number of girl scouts in Pakistan by 30, illustrating the growing interest and participation of girls in scouting.
Girls in Scouting follows the same structure as Boy Scouts, divided into three sections:
Ms. Zafar Sultana has been a pioneer in the field of scouting. She began her scouting journey in 1980 as a scout leader and has since participated in numerous events, including the Saj Invitation Program in Japan in 2004 and the 7th Scout Friendship Camp in India in 2007. Her dedication and hard work have been recognized with awards from four different Presidents of Pakistan in 1984, 1991, 1996, and 2016.
Ms. Zafar Sultana made history by becoming the first female Leader Trainer (LT) of Pakistan when she completed her LT in 1994. She currently serves as the Commissioner of Girls in Scouting, continuing to have a lasting impact on the organization.
Dr. Syeda Kanza Kanwal has made remarkable achievements in scouting. She started her journey as a Girl Rover Scout and showed great dedication to completing all required courses and attending various scouting events. In 2015, She became the first female scout to receive the President Rover Scout (PRS) award, the highest honor in Rover Scouting. In the same year, she also became the first female scout to earn a Gold Medal (PGM).
Dr. Kanza Kanwal continued to pursue her passion for scouting by completing the Assistant Leader Trainer (ALT) course in 2020. She further advanced her skills by attending the Leader Trainer (LT) course in Islamabad in 2022. This accomplishment made her the youngest LT in Pakistan’s scouting history, highlighting her dedication and leadership in the scouting community.
Sindh was the first province in Pakistan to embrace girls’ scouting wholeheartedly. Since the introduction of girls in scouting in 2012, the movement has grown rapidly. In 2014, Sindh hosted the 14th International Jamboree in Khairpur, where over 200 girls from all provinces of Pakistan and even from Afghanistan participated. This jamboree was a milestone event, being the first major gathering for girls in scouting and highlighting the province’s commitment to promoting scouting among girls.
In May 2011, This event marked the official beginning of girls’ scouting in Pakistan. It was a significant milestone, bringing together 20 girl scouts from India and 20 girls from the Sindh province. This was the first platform for girls to engage in scouting activities in the country.
In October 2012, This camp involved girl scouts from SAARC countries, providing an opportunity for international collaboration and learning. It also marked a significant increase in the number of girl scouts in Pakistan, with 30 new girl scouts joining the movement.
In 2014, Over 200 girl scouts from all provinces of Pakistan and Afghanistan participated in this event. It was the first major event specifically designed for girls in scouting, showcasing their growing involvement in the movement.
Today, the number of Girl Scouts is growing every day, with over 2,000 Girl Scouts across Sindh. The first PRS (Presidential Rover Scout) Award in Pakistan was awarded to Dr. Kanza Kanwal from Sindh Boy Scout Association. After her, six girls from Hyderabad received the award, followed by Girl Scouts Aneeqa from Punjab Boy Scout Association joining this journey.
The Sindh Boy Scouts Association aims to promote “Family Scouting” through Girls in Scouting. Currently, Girls in Scouting is growing in Karachi, Khairpur, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Mirpur Khas, and throughout Sindh. The Sindh Boy Scouts Association organizes an annual camp for Girl Scouts in Sindh, where women handle all the arrangements and serve as special guests.
In December 2024, the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Girl Scouts Camporee will be held at the Sindh Boy Scouts Association Training Center, Gulistan Scouts, Karachi. This event will be organized by the Sindh Boy Scouts Association.
