Girl Scouts of Madagascar

Mpanazava Eto Madagasikara (MEM), known in English as the Girl Scouts of Madagascar, is a Malagasy girls' and young women's Guiding association founded in 1941. It is the country's largest organization for girls and young women and is affiliated with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). The movement grew out of the educational work of British Protestant missions of the London Missionary Society (LMS), which were already active in Madagascar, and it developed in close connection with the Unionist Girl Guides of France, which served as an organizational and pedagogical model. The association is structured around three age branches: Voronkely (the youngest, ages 6–11, also called the yellow branch), Mpanazava maitso (Guides, ages 12–15, the green branch), and Afo (the elders, ages 16–25, the red branch). It brings together members from five different religious synods, including the FJKM, FLM, METM, EEM, and FMTA, each with its own scout group name. Its mission is to educate, train, and contribute to the development of girls and young women as accomplished persons, witnesses of Jesus Christ, responsible citizens, and pillars of the family. MEM's activities span civic education and female leadership (including a Girls' Parliament), health and well-being (handwashing, menstrual hygiene, HIV/AIDS prevention, and the fight against gender-based violence), sustainable development (reforestation, water and environmental protection, biodiversity preservation), and community engagement through social actions, national camps, and training for leaders and regional officers. According to a 2014 census, the association had about 22,000 members across Madagascar's 22 regions; by 2025, figures published on its official website estimated more than 53,000 members, confirming continued growth. The organization is also a member of the Fédération du Scoutisme à Madagascar, the Fédération du Scoutisme Féminin à Madagascar, and the joint structure Mpanazava sy Tily Eto Madagasikara (MTEM) alongside its male counterpart Tily eto Madagasikara.

Mpanazava Eto Madagasikara was founded in May 1941 as the Éclaireuses Unionistes de Madagascar, at the initiative of British Protestant missions of the London Missionary Society (LMS), which were already very active in education in Madagascar. The creation of the movement was closely linked to the Unionist Girl Guides of France, which served as an organizational and pedagogical model for the development of female Guiding on the island. The first branch created was the green branch, Mpanazava, grouping girls aged 12 to 15. In 1945, the law was translated into Malagasy. In 1946, the red branch, Afo, was created for older girls and young women aged 16 to 25. In 1950, the Ankanin-jazavavy Behoririka was built. In 1960, the name 'Mpanazava Eto Madagasikara' was adopted. Later, in 1964, the branch of the little wings, Voronkely or the yellow branch, was founded, welcoming girls aged 6 to 11. In 1998, a common structure, Mpanazava sy Tily Eto Madagasikara (MTEM), was established with its male counterpart Tily eto Madagasikara. Over the decades, Mpanazava Eto Madagasikara has established itself in all regions of the country and has participated in structuring the Malagasy female scout movement. According to the 2014 census, the association had about 22,000 members spread across the 22 regions of Madagascar. In 2025, data published on the official website estimated the number of members at more than 53,000, confirming the movement's continued growth.

• 2025

  Official website estimates more than 53,000 members

• 2014

  Census records about 22,000 members across 22 regions

• 1998

  Establishment of the common structure Mpanazava sy Tily Eto Madagasikara (MTEM)

• 1964

  Founding of the Voronkely (yellow) branch for girls aged 6–11

• 1960

  Adoption of the name 'Mpanazava Eto Madagasikara'

• 1950

  Construction of the Ankanin-jazavavy Behoririka

• 1946

  Creation of the red branch (Afo)

• 1945

  Translation of the law into Malagasy

• 1941

  Creation of the Éclaireuses Unionistes de Madagascar

Madagascar's largest girls' and young women's movement, providing non-formal education, leadership, and community action rooted in Guiding values and Protestant faith.

• Girl Guide Training

  Training programs equipping young women with essential life skills, leadership training, and community engagement experience.

• Community Service Projects

  Impactful community service projects allowing members to contribute to meaningful change in their communities.

• Leadership Development

  Leadership development opportunities enhancing confidence, communication, and organizational skills.

• Girls' Parliament

  A program to strengthen young women's participation in public life.

1. 1Accueil - Mpanazava Eto Madagasikarampanazava.org
2. 2Notre histoire - Mpanazava Eto Madagasikarampanazava.org
3. 3Services - Mpanazava Eto Madagasikarampanazava.org
4. 4Mpanazava Eto Madagasikarafr.wikipedia.org
5. 5Girl Scouts of Madagascarwikidata.org