Pakistan’s Dr. Hina Velji Secures Historic Seat On WAGGGS World Board

Dr. Hina Velji, a doctor-turned-educationist and management professional, was elected to the World Board of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). The election was held at the 39th World Conference in Cambodia from 16th to 19th June. The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is the largest voluntary movement dedicated to girls and young women in the world. Its diverse movement represents 11. 2 million girls and young women from 153 countries. For more than 100 years, Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting have transformed the lives of girls and young women worldwide, supporting and empowering them to achieve their fullest potential and become responsible citizens of the world. The internationally acclaimed association aims at empowering women and girls to actively participate in social life, contribute towards society, and engage in community development activities. Besides that, the organization has, to date, trained thousands of women across the world, including those from remote countries and regions of Asia and Africa, in leadership skills, positive youth development, unity, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and primary health care. In Pakistan, the organization has been working in collaboration with the Pakistan Girls Guide Association, of which Ms. Velji has been an active member for nearly two decades. Hina Velji’s journey began as a young Guide, and over the past 20 years, she has had the privilege of serving the movement in various capacities. As National Guides Commissioner for the Ismaili Guides Chapter in Pakistan, she had the opportunity to work alongside dedicated volunteers and leaders to expand participation from 5, 000 to over 30, 000 girls, creating greater access to leadership, service, camps, and personal development opportunities for young women across the country. Pakistan’s First Intelligence And Security Studies Graduates Mark Historic Milestone At University Of Lahore Sharing her remarkable journey spanning more than two decades, she said, “Through Guiding, I have witnessed the transformative power of investing in girls. I have seen shy young girls become confident leaders, volunteers become mentors, and communities become stronger through service and collective action. These experiences continue to inspire my commitment to youth development and girls’ empowerment. ” She further added that during this period, she had attended and organized numerous events across the country aimed at encouraging women to engage in healthy social activities, particularly in areas where women had long been constrained by rigid social norms and traditional practices. The newly elected WAGGGS World Board comprises Sarah Govan-Sisk as Chair, with Signe Marie Obel and Fiona Lejosne serving as Vice Chairs, while the newly elected Board Members are Fatima Al-Faylakawi, Chun Wei (Lydia) Fang, Dr. Natasha Montesalvo, Tricia Tilford, and Dr. Hina Velji. Representatives of various civil society organizations, including the Pakistan Girls Guide Association, Aga Khan Education Services, Pakistan, and the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association, among others, congratulated Velji on achieving this milestone and on spearheading women’s empowerment and positive youth development across the country.

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