Updates on our taskforce after changes to our equality and diversity policy

Originally published: 10 February 2026.

This page contains information about our taskforce work between December 2025 and March 2026, following updates for members about our equality and diversity policy.

The taskforce panel met regularly to explore future opportunities for trans girls and trans women to connect with and be supported by Girlguiding, while operating within our equality and diversity policy. Between January and March 2026, each individual panel member gave over 17 hours of their time and they’ve done a brilliant job at discussing the different ideas submitted.

Whilst I was saddened to be needed in this way, I truly hope to help Girlguiding to find a way into the future, supporting all girls and women. I hope to inspire other people to reach out to Girlguiding to become involved with projects in the future.’ - panel member.

What was the taskforce and panel?

The taskforce was set up after our equality and diversity policy changed on 2 December 2025, following the Supreme Court’s decision on sex and gender. For more on the policy change and why we made this decision, read our statement for members.

The taskforce explored new future opportunities for trans girls and trans women to connect with and be supported by Girlguiding, while operating within our equality and diversity policy. It wasn’t seeking to reverse the decision but instead, it offered a safe space to share ideas for the future.

A smaller group of people (a panel) was formed from the taskforce of around 500 people. The panel was a group of 16 people who met regularly between January and March 2026 to listen to all voices including the wider Girlguiding community through the taskforce. The panel was made up of people with lived experience, senior volunteers, members, young people, country and region staff and volunteers, parents and carers and subject matter experts. As a group, they captured ideas, feedback, gave examples of good practice, shared learnings, and had big conversations.

Read more about who was involved in the taskforce and panel.

 

Being a part of the panel has given me a space to open up about my experience as a non-binary member of Girlguiding. People with lived experience are being listened to and we can take part in discussions in a safe space.’ - panel member.

Alongside the panel, we also worked with multiple groups of people who fed in specialist knowledge. This included people with lived experience, inclusion specialists, young people, external organisations and senior Girlguiding volunteers and staff.

What the taskforce panel did

The taskforce panel didn’t seek to reverse the equality and diversity policy change. Instead, it offered a safe space to share ideas for the future.

Here’s what the taskforce and panel did between December and March 2026:

• Provided a safe space for people to share over 100 ideas.
• Actively listened to over 500 people’s ideas and thoughts about how Girlguiding can connect with and support the trans+ community.
• Discussed how possible, lawful and inclusive these ideas would be for Girlguiding to do, over the course of 7 panel meetings.
• Took advice from multiple groups of people who shared specialist knowledge. This included people with lived experience, inclusion specialists, young people, external organisations and senior Girlguiding volunteers and staff.

I’ve found the experience of being on the panel thought-provoking and stimulating. It’s challenging trying to consider all points of view when we’re discussing ideas.' - panel member.

Ideas shared by the taskforce and discussed by the panel

Over 3,000 responses and over 100 ideas were submitted by the taskforce. We read every single one! They were grouped into 3 themes for the panel to discuss:

1. Showing support for trans girls, trans women and the trans+ community. Like exploring how we might hold events, run activities, or campaign.
2. Changes to how Girlguiding works. Like exploring how we might make changes to the way Girlguiding is run, while still operating within our equality and diversity policy.
3. Ways to connect with and support trans girls and trans women. Like exploring how we might create new spaces or groups.

My experience on the panel has been productive. We’ve had the chance to explore a range of ideas which were given to us by the taskforce. We’ve listened to suggestions and I’ve opened up my perspective by discussing ideas from new angles.’ - panel member.

To be as transparent as possible, we shared regular updates on the ideas discussed by the panel with members.

A timeline of the taskforce

The most challenging thing has been the time we have available to meet as a panel. We want there to be change as soon as possible but with so many perspectives, these ideas could be discussed for months.’ - panel member.

Next steps

Everything that the panel has discussed will be considered to shape what the future of Girlguiding looks like. There will be more communications with members following up on the taskforce work in the future.

Get support

Our work on the taskforce continued alongside important updates about what our policy change means for members. There is support available for those who are affected by this change.