Tag: International Women's Day

Choudhury: Fight goes on for equality on International Women’s Day

Responding to this year’s 2023 International Women’s Day, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “International Women’s Day is a wonderful celebration dating back over 100 years. It is a chance to celebrate women’s achievements and raise awareness of the continued fight for equality. 

“International Women’s Day highlights the ever-evolving issues women have faced: voting rights, equality in the workplace and under the law and changing social attitudes. 

“It is important that we also use International Women’s Day to highlight the experience of women from a diverse range of backgrounds.   

“For example, in Ukraine, we are seeing women struggle disproportionately with human trafficking when being displaced. This is something I have addressed in the Scottish Parliament’s debate marking a year of war in Ukraine.  

“In 2022, I spoke to the Scottish Parliament about the importance of creating opportunities that specifically target women from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to get involved in sport, as hostility and abuse within sport can lead to low-levels of participation from BAME women and girls. 

“For International Women’s Day 2023, I spoke in the Scottish Parliament debate on Wednesday to address how women from ethnic minorities can face overlapping systems of discrimination: both racism and misogyny. 

“Many women from ethnic minorities experience misogyny in different ways and we need to recognise this multiplicity of experience in order to tackle misogyny.  

“I am also particularly worried about the treatment of women when wearing items such as the hijab. Many Muslim women wear these as a sign of modesty and faith, but in the UK they have been met with violence and harassment. 

“I’ve even heard cases of women avoiding train stations in fear that someone would push them on to the tracks. 

“International Women’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to make efforts to combat these issues.  

“There are already tracks being made on some of these issues, for example Scottish Rugby recently announced a system was being put in place to allow concerns to be raised over racism and misogyny.  

“This can’t be the end point, however. The commitment to these underrepresented women needs to remain a core element of all sports, and indeed all sectors, across Scotland.  

“The involvement of ethnic and religious minority women to the same level as everyone else needs to happen before Scotland can confidently say it is a diverse and accepting nation with equality for all.” 

Local care home ladies glam it up for International Women’s Day

Residents at Strachan House in Blackhall marked International Women’s Day yesterday by spending the day celebrating the achievements of wonderful trail-blazing women throughout history.

This special day takes place on March 8th every year to celebrate women’s rights and inspire people to fight for gender equality.  A United Nations-sanctioned global holiday, it celebrates women’s contributions to society, raises awareness about the fight for gender parity and inspires support for organisations that support women globally.

Residents afterwards enjoyed complete pamper sessions and makeover to inspire others that you’re never too old to look your best. The afternoon saw many of the home’s women get together over an afternoon tea specially put on to mark the day and their life achievements.

Gordon Philp General Manager at Strachan House said: “We’ve all had a really interesting day thinking about the very many brilliant women who have had such an impact on our lives, whether that was an historic figure or people in our own family. 

“It was good to share our experiences, take stock and reflect on how much society has changed over the years.”

Focus on the future at Holyrood’s International Women’s Day event

Two pupils from a high school in Cumbernauld will address over 350 women in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (Saturday 4 March) as part of this year’s International Women’s Day event.

Zara De Almeida and Grace Lennon both in S5 at Our Lady’s High School, Cumbernauld, will address this year’s theme of breaking the bias, at the event which is held jointly with the Scottish Women’s Convention.

The First Minister the Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP will also address the Chamber, along with comedian Susan Morrison and academic Dr Radhika Govinda.

A cross party panel of MSPs (Meghan Gallacher MSP; Rhoda Grant MSP; Kaukab Stewart MSP; and Beatrice Wishart MSP) will also take questions from those attending.

The Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, speaking ahead of the event said: “The Scottish Parliament has celebrated International Women’s Day with this event for over 15 years, inviting women from across Scotland to address collectively the challenges they face.” 

Agnes Tolmie, Chair of the Scottish Women’s Convention said: “Women make up more than 50% of the Scottish population and we have still not achieved equality.

“However, when we look at the wonderful work done by women in Scotland we have every reason to celebrate. We are looking forward to an afternoon of inspiring and motivational contributions which showcase Scotland’s achievements in working for a fairer society.”

Women from across Scotland will join the event at the Parliament, including 60 high school pupils from S4 to S6 from Our Ladies High School, Cumbernauld; Drumchapel High School; Govan High School; St Ninian’s High School, Kirkintilloch; University of Edinburgh’s Women in Politics society; and members of the Digital Dairy Chain from the University of Strathclyde. 

The event will be broadcast by the Scottish Parliament and will begin at 2.00pm on Saturday 4 March.

Manifesto for Women’s Rights in Scotland to be launched today

Women Speak Scotland is publishing a ‘Manifesto for Women’s Rights in Scotland’ on International Women’s Day (8 March) ahead of the Holyrood election on 6 May. The Manifesto demands the protection and implementation of women’s human and legal rights. WSS will invite all parliamentary candidates to support it.

The Manifesto affirms women’s sex-based human rights, which are enshrined in international treaties and national legislation. It includes rights related to:
 

  • Safety and Privacy
  • Health and Bodily Autonomy
  • Freedom of Speech and Association
  • Fairness in Sport
  • Accurate Data
  • Freedom from Male Violence and Exploitation
  • Young Women and Girls

WSS says the Scottish Government must make a commitment to uphold women’s rights, regardless of which party/parties form the next administration. WSS believes the Manifesto is necessary because recent years have seen the gradual erosion of women’s rights.

A spokeswoman for the group said “Women have been fighting for our rights for over 100 years but now we are facing a serious backlash. We are seeing the advances we’ve made being watered down or removed one by one.

“Public bodies and organisations too often dismiss women’s concerns. Many organisations now routinely confuse ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ which has the effect of reducing or removing women’s rights.

“The Scottish Government appears to be mounting an attack on women’s rights. For example, it has recently redefined the term ‘women’ to include men in relation to the Gender Representation on Public Boards Act. The Act was intended to address the historical under-representation of women on these boards, but is seriously undermined by allowing males to take places designated for women.

“The Hate Crime Bill proposed by the Scottish Government is in its final stage and will be debated at Holyrood on Wednesday. WSS is very concerned that the Government is refusing to offer protection to female victims who are attacked because of their sex despite widespread support for this measure.

“As it stands, the Bill will criminalise women advocating for our sex-based rights, including the maintenance of existing legal rights. So the WSS Manifesto demand for the protection of the right to freedom of speech is essential.

“We seem to be on a slippery slope which risks making women invisible both to the law and in national statistics. For example, there is a suggestion that the next Census in Scotland will not record the population according to our sex, even though this is crucial for planning many services, or identifying inequalities such as the sex pay gap. WSS is determined to reverse this trend and make sure the voices of the majority of women in Scotland are heard.

“Scottish Parliamentary candidates should be aware that women’s votes count – we are nearly 52% of the electorate – and we intend to make sure that women’s rights and concerns are not ignored during this election, nor by the incoming government.

“We also hope the Manifesto will empower those women who aren’t yet confident being involved in politics or activism, to feel able to engage in conversation with candidates in their constituencies, by providing information about some of the most important issues facing us at present.”

Copies of the Manifesto can be downloaded from the WSS website from 8 March onwards at www.womenspeakscotland.com

Forth celebrates International Women’s Day with interviews with leading Scottish women

Forth 1 and Forth 2 presenter, Cat Harvey, is joined by inspirational Scottish women this International Women’s Day (Monday 8th March), to discuss their successes, challenges and aspirations.

The women, including Judy Murray, sports presenter Eilidh Barbour and woman’s rights campaigner Talat Yaqoob, each at the top of their chosen field, all share personal experiences of breaking through the glass ceiling and stories of their own accomplishments.

The interviews, conducted by breakfast presenter Cat Harvey, one of Scotland’s top female radio talents, will be played out on Forth 1 and Forth 2 and across the Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Networks on Monday, interspersed with a playlist that will be all female artists, all day (Forth 1, 6am to midnight), including the likes of Beyonce, Amy MacDonald, Lizzo, Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Adele and Pink.

Scottish business and beauty mogul, Jamie Genevieve, shares her story on Forth 1. She discusses the ‘cookie cutter’ image of women in business and how she discovered the power of being herself and the success this has brought her.

Eilidh Barbour and Cat discuss the success of women’s football in recent years and Eilidh speaks about how she has made her own voice heard amongst her male colleagues’, while Talat Yaqoob discusses the challenges women still face in trying to break into certain industries. 

Judy Murray said: “A lot of the situations I’ve faced [in the sporting industry] have made me…create the female only organisations…I understand how much more you can get out of women and girls when they feel comfortable and relaxed.”

Cat Harvey, presenter of Ewen & Cat At Breakfast on Forth 2, said: “It was extremely empowering speaking to these amazing women across a variety of professions about their achievements and their journey to get to where they are now.

“It’s so important that we continue to have these conversations. We have made progress in the past few years for gender equality, but it is essential that we keep pushing and challenging the status quo, and I’m proud to a play a part in making sure women’s voices are being heard.”

Listen to all the interviews as they are aired across Forth 1 and Forth 2 on International Women’s Day on Monday the 8th of March.

Keep up with all the latest news, sport, biggest hits, greatest hits on Forth 1 and Forth 2 on FM / AM, on DAB radio, online, via the Radio Forth app and on your Smart Speaker.

Full list of interviewees: Eilidh Barbour, Judy Murray, Talat Yaqoob, Dr. Punam Krishan, Dr Marie Macklin CBE, Dr. Katy Stewart (Forth 2 only) and Jamie Genevieve (Forth 1 only).

Forth 1 and Hits Radio Network Scotland will run the interviews at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm and 11pm. Forth 2 and Greatest Hit Network Scotland will run the features at 7am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm and 9pm.

International Women’s Day event will celebrate the role of Scottish Women during COVID-19

The frontline role of women across Scotland in dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is to be celebrated as part of a virtual event, to be held on International Women’s Day.

The event, being organised by the Scottish Women’s Convention and the Scottish Parliament will be held on Monday (8 March), in the Scottish Parliament’s ‘virtual chamber’.

The experiences of those working at the heart of tackling the pandemic, including Erin Moffat, a critical care nurse; Cynthia Osayamwen, a care assistant; Clare McInally, a trade unionist; Mary Boyd, a student nurse and Pam Duncan-Glancy, a disability, equality and human rights activist, will be heard.

Women of all ages, and from across Scotland are being invited to sign up for this free event and to listen to a line-up of interesting and engaging speakers, who have all played vital roles in the fight against coronavirus.

The event will be chaired by Linda Fabiani, Deputy Presiding Officer. She said: “Women have undoubtedly risen to the many challenges that Covid-19 has thrown at them, often juggling so many different priorities, at home, at work and in their communities.  I am delighted that this event will allow us a virtual platform from which to celebrate and recognise their many achievements.

“This annual event is usually held in our Debating Chamber, with hundreds of women joining us in person. Whilst we can’t do that this year, we will continue to help support women, acknowledging the challenges they face and their collective hopes and aspirations for the future.”

Other speakers addressing the event will include: 

• Linda Bauld, Professor of Public Health, The University of Edinburgh;
• Elaine C Smith, one of Scotland’s best-known performers;
• Monica Lennon MSP, Scottish Labour Party spokesperson on Economy & Fair Work;
• Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Security & Older People;
• Alison Johnstone MSP, Co-leader of the Scottish Green Party;
• Caron Lindsay, Scottish Liberal Democrats spokesperson for Equalities.
• Margaret Mitchell MSP, Shadow Minister for Community Safety.

Those attending will also hear a pre-recorded video message from the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP.

Agnes Tolmie, Chair, Scottish Women’s Convention, said: “This year our event is being held online and this enables us as an organisation to reach out to more women than ever before bringing women together from different cultures and backgrounds across Scotland and Internationally to celebrate all of their achievements during the current Pandemic. 

“The SWC have been showcasing Women in Scotland’s contributions since January with daily nominations in the run up to this event and what it has highlighted is the far-ranging achievements of women during one of the most difficult periods in our history.  

“Women make up more than 50 per cent of the Scottish population and have been hardest hit by COVID but looking at the wonderful work Women in Scotland have been doing, we thought we should use our event to celebrate them. We look forward to an evening of inspiring and motivational contributions which highlight women achievements during this time”

Taking place on Monday (8 March 2021), from 6pm until 8pm, the event is free to attend and can be accessed as below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-womens-day-2021-tickets