The Girls Guides Association of Antigua and Barbuda will now transition into an incorporation.

The Girl Guides Association of Antigua and Barbuda is the Guiding organization of Antigua and Barbuda.

Founded in 1931, the girls-only organization became an associate member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1984 and a full member in 2002. Its mission is to enable girls and young women to fully develop as responsible, productive citizens; contributing to national, regional and worldwide development.

The group received the nod through the passing of the Girls Guide Association of Antigua and Barbuda (Incorporation) Bill in Tuesday’s sitting of Parliament.

This Bill provides for the incorporation of the Girl Guides Association of Antigua and Barbuda, conferring legal personality necessary to hold property, enter into contracts, and further its objectives.

It establishes a Council to manage the Association, ensures the non- profit application of the Association’s income and property, and sets out offences to protect the Association’s name and branding and safeguard its legacy.

By vesting the assets and liabilities of the former Association in the newly incorporated entity, the Bill provides for a smooth transition and safeguards the Association’s commitments and responsibilities. Ultimately, it modernizes the legal framework for the Girl Guides movement in Antigua and Barbuda, ensuring the continuity and development of its mission to empower and guide young women.

This Bill ensures that the girl guiding movement remains a vibrant and enduring resource for the nation’s youth and broader community.

It also provides protection if any person forms, organizes or any group that unlawfully purports to represent the Association, claims to be an official member, officer or agent to solicit funds or other benefits or adorns the Associations attire without approval can be charged.  

A person convicted of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding ($2000) two thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both.

St. Johns Rural East MP Maria Bird-Browne welcomed this initiative. She mentioned that the move comes at a time when the world will gear up to celebrate women on International Women’s Day.

Sir Molwyn Joseph called this move a necessary step in finding positive avenues in saving the youth and deterring them from a life of crime.

The act will come into effect on a date determined by the Minister and published in the gazette.