12-03-2025
4 Ohio Girl Scouts councils release ‘State of the Girl' study
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – The 2025 Ohio: State of the Girl report has been released.
The comprehensive report is a collaborative effort authored by multiple members of Ohio's Girl Scouts of the USA councils. It features data surveyed from Girl Scouts of all ages throughout the state.
Namely, Ohio's four councils: Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland, Girl Scouts of Black Diamond, Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, and Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.
This year's report starts with a simple question: 'Are Ohio's girls okay?'
The data shows that girls in Ohio are facing a complex range of struggles, everything from bullying to dating violence.
Mental health issues are prevalent.
Over 56% of the high school girls surveyed reported feeling sad or hopeless in 2021. 15% reported attempting suicide. (Four times higher than the rate of male peers.)
31% said they had difficulty accessing mental health services. 8% said they were unable to receive any mental health care.
The report suggests that girls experience cyberbullying at significantly higher rates than boys. 51% of middle school girls and 28% of high school girls reported they were cyberbullied in 2021.
The research also suggests an alarming rise in older girls experiencing sexual dating violence. 18% of the high school girls surveyed in 2021 reported they experienced sexual dating violence.
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Over a quarter of the girls (27%) reported chronic absenteeism.
There was also an indication of lowered interest in STEM fields. The report highlighted a need for early and consistent exposure to STEM programs as girls often experience a declining interest in science around age 11.
Participation in organized activities, like Girl Scouts, helps girls develop confidence, resilience and leadership skills. Programs such as these can influence girls' moral, civic and developmental growth.
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Aimée Sproles, president & CEO of Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, spoke on the positivity the program brings.
'We know that girls' capacity to thrive increases when they have safe spaces to grow emotionally and physically, when they are surrounded by supportive adults, when they are introduced to new experiences that help them develop new skills, and when they stay physically active and socially connected,' said Sproles. 'Girl Scouts certainly plays an important part in girls' lives, but the data shows everyone has a role to play in supporting Ohio's girls.'
The report indicated that being a supportive member of a girl's life can help her build self-confidence and resilience. Providing early, consistent encouragement and promoting an interest in education, including STEM careers is helpful as well.
Help show the signs of interpersonal aggression like cyberbullying and dating violence. Teach prevention techniques and support her.
Provide resources on mental wellness. If needed, encourage seeing mental health services.
President of Buckeye Engineering Women in Executive Leadership (BEWEL) Nancy Dawes is a long-time Girl Scout volunteer and Co-Chair of 'Ohio: State of the Girl Report.'
She spoke a bit about the study and its results.
'I was generally aware that there was an issue with girls' mental health, but the reality of the hard-hitting numbers appalled me, perhaps because I'm an engineer and, to me, data speaks,' said Dawes. 'Girls and women are asked to step up and be strong and courageous. Yes, as adults we need to help them do that. But we need the ecosystem around them as policymakers, schools, youth organizations, to courageously step up and proactively address these issues.'
To view the full 24-page report, click here.
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