Sunday, October 29, 2006 Boy scouts out to attract girls
IN the scouting movement, the gender divide is quite clear.
But now, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) is blurring that line, as it is allowing girls to become members of the organization.
Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, national president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), said the executive board opened the doors to girl scouts who are “overcrowded” in their organization.
Binay said they are offering equal opportunities to the girl scouts.
In a resolution, the BSP said it wants to respect individual differences and not limit the organization to traditional gender roles.
But the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) wants to keep things the way they are and is seeking the intervention of President Arroyo.
Binay said the board is discussing GSP’s opposition but, in the meantime, the resolution will not be recalled because the program proved effective in strengthening partnerships in some countries in Europe.
Christina Lim-Yuson, chairperson of the Asia-Pacific Region World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, does not see it that way.
She said the BSP’s resolution violates the charter of each organization, which emphasizes that the Girl Scouts are for girls while Boy Scouts are for boys.
“We each exist by a charter, unless BSP changes theirs,” she said, adding that the sudden move of the BSP without consulting them created resentment among GSP officials.
She said BSP should reconsider its move because it creates confusion.
Yuson and Binay were guests at the 3rd National Scout Venture held at BSP Camp in Capitol Hills, Cebu City.
The four-day affair culminated yesterday with the awarding of the Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts (TOBS).
TOBS awardees will represent the country in the World Jamboree in London in August next year. They will also get a two-year college scholarship, cash and trophies.
The BSP executive board passed a resolution last Aug. 26 accepting senior girl scouts age 13 to 17.
BSP Secretary General Rizal Pangilinan issued Memorandum 47 directing regional scout directors, council scout executives and officers to implement the resolution and the corresponding guidelines.
They want to establish a partnership with adolescents within scouting and in local, national and international communities and give opportunities to the youth to enhance their potentials in respecting individual differences.
For Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, a board member of the BSP Cebu Council, the two organizations must remain distinct.
He said the BSP should not change its policies because ever since, the BSP has always been for the boys, and GSP for the girls.
“It is funny to think that girls can become boy scouts,” he added.
BSP Cebu Council Chairman Hernan Streegan is also opposed to accepting girls into BSP.
“I’m not in favor of having girls in Boy Scouts. It is not good,” he said.
The BSP, he pointed out, even has a challenging time implementing its programs.
But Binay said gender should not be made a hindrance because even the World Organization of Scout Movements encourages integration of Girl Scouts with the Boy Scouts.
“It is voluntary. It is up to them (girls) if they want to join us,” he said
The GSP, through acting national president Susan Locsin, passed a resolution last Thursday opposing the BSP’s move and wrote to Binay to withdraw the resolution and memorandum-circular.
Locsin said girls sign up with the GSP because they want to become girl scouts and not boy scouts.
The GSP resolution also stated that the BSP resolution contradicts the GSP charter and that it is necessary for the BSP to rectify situation. President Arroyo, who is the chief girl scout, was sent a copy of the GSP resolution.
Locsin, in her letter to Binay, said the GSP is part of the national executive board but wasn’t informed of the Aug. 26 meeting where BSP passed a resolution allowing girl scouts into its ranks. (AIV)
