Cart is empty 
Dublin, 08/03/2025 – This International Women’s Day, the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) is turning the spotlight on the transformative power of volunteering with the 2026 International Women’s Day theme: ‘Give to Gain.’
With 1,400 volunteer Leaders across 400 Units nationwide, IGG is highlighting how the simple act of giving time as a Leader unlocks a world of professional and personal growth. While the organisation is known for empowering girls, its adult Leaders gain skills, confidence, and experiences that last a lifetime.
The ‘Give to Gain’ theme illustrates that while Leaders donate their energy, they gain a competitive edge in the modern world, ranging from formal first aid and camping licenses to high-level leadership certification and international networking. The impact of the Guiding experience is felt far beyond the weekly Unit meetings, weaving itself into the professional and personal lives of its members. A large part of the organisation’s success lies in what its adult Leaders receive in return.
Many Leaders find that the confidence and organisational skills honed within the Irish Girl Guides serve as the key that opens doors to new job opportunities, promotions, and life skills. Whether it’s a Senior Branch member navigating the transition to college life with ease because she has already mastered independent living, or a Leader managing a large family event effortlessly thanks to her logistics training, the skills gained through Guiding make a real difference.
Furthermore, the global horizons offered through its membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) ensure that Irish Girl Guides Leaders have access to an unparalleled international network and life-changing travel opportunities.
Chief Commissioner of the Irish Girl Guides, Aisling Claffey Healion, says:
“At its heart, Guiding is a beautiful exchange. Our Leaders give their passion, their knowledge and their Saturday mornings, but what they gain in return is immeasurable. Whether it’s the energy found in a community of like-minded women, the thrill of an international trip or the quiet confidence that comes from leading a team, we see women transform.
On International Women’s Day, we invite women across Ireland to see volunteering not just as an act of service, but as an investment in themselves. When you give to Guiding, you gain a lifetime of skills, friendship and the power to change the world, starting with your own.”
With Units in every corner of the country, there has never been a better time for women to step forward, reclaim their confidence and discover that by giving a little, they truly gain it all.
Press Contact:
Celia Melcus
Public Relations and Advocacy Officer
Irish Girl Guides
01-6683898
(086) 136-7824
pr@irishgirlguides.ie