The Scottish Government has set out revised ambitions for Scotland and what it hopes to achieve over the next ten years – but to what extent are these changes helpful, desirable and appropriate? Continue reading What kind of Scotland do YOU want to live in?
Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee has unanimously backed the general principles of the Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) Bill. Continue reading Holyrood committee backs Historic Pardons Bill
A group of young women from across Scotland will today take over a Holyrood committee room as part of a project to increase political involvement.
The Young Women Lead project, which is run by the Young Women’s Movement, is a leadership programme for young women aged 30 and under and aims to increase political participation and connect a diverse range of voices to Scottish politics.
The project will see the group hold a series of committee meetings at the Scottish Parliament in order to gain more experience of how the Scottish Parliament works.
Chaired by Deputy Presiding Officer, Linda Fabiani MSP, the committee meetings will see the group hear from a range of witnesses on the issue of sexual violence, particularly sexual harassment experienced by women in education, a topic chosen by the young women themselves.
Speaking ahead of today’s meeting, Deputy Presiding Officer, Linda Fabiani MSP said: “I am thrilled to be involved in the Young Women Lead project, a project which is designed to not only help young women across Scotland find their voices but to ensure that these diverse and underrepresented voices are heard in the Scottish Parliament.
“The topic which the group has chosen to explore is something that all too many women will have faced in their lives – sexual harassment and violence experienced in education. It speaks volumes for the passion and commitment of these young women that they are willing to tackle such an important subject and I am looking forward to seeing the impact they make.
At today’s meeting, the group will hear from Scottish Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis Scotland, Girlguiding Scotland and Zero Tolerance before meeting again at Holyrood on Friday 20 April and Friday 18 May.
Jemma Tracey from the Young Women’s Movement said: “Young Women Lead presents a unique opportunity to have young women in all their diversity feed into Scottish politics.
“It is such a privilege for us as organisation to have partnered with the Scottish Parliament in co-designing this pilot programme with young women.
“The Young Women Lead programme also supports young self-identifying women to develop leadership skills, knowledge of human rights issues, and their own professional networks. We’re aiming high, and we cannot wait to see how this programme develops. “
One of the participants in the project, Emily Davis said: “100 years ago, the first group of women in the UK got the right to vote. Young Women Lead allows us to stand together in the Scottish Parliament building and form our own parliamentary committee. That blows my mind. I know life is still hard as a woman. But this would have not have been possible years ago. I wish those brave women could see us now.”
How the Scottish Parliament ensures Human Rights are respected in Scotland is to be the subject of a new Holyrood committee inquiry. The Equalities and Human Rights Committee has launched a call for views and hopes to hear from as many people in Scotland as possible. In particular, it is seeking to hear from human rights experts as well as those with lived experience of fighting for their rights. Continue reading Have your say on Human Rights
Six senior MSPs representing three Holyrood Committees will attend House of Lords talks today on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill and Brexit. The MSPs will set out significant cross-party concerns over Clause 11 of the Bill and the lack of progress from the UK Government on amending the Bill during its Commons passage. Continue reading MSPs take Brexit “dismay” to House of Lords
Continue reading Ben Macpherson welcomes campaigning schoolboy to Holyrood
Ben Macpherson SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith showed his support for the work of Corra Foundation when they shared their groundbreaking Everyone Has a Story report at a reception in the Scottish Parliament on 6th December. Continue reading Ben Macpherson supports Corra Foundation report
Lothians MSP Miles Briggs has tabled a Holyrood motion praising a Bank of Scotland cancer care initiative. Continue reading Briggs praises Bank of Scotland’s Cancer Support initiative
Over the past 10 years, the number of Scots taking part in sporting activities in Scotland has remained static, according to a new Parliamentary report. The Health and Sport Committee has found no evidence £500 million of public funding in the last year has increased the number of people getting active.
Currently, statutory support is awarded by sportscotland (£100m) and through local authorities (£400m).
These figures were revealed during phase two of the Committee’s inquiry which looks at reasons preventing people from taking part in sport and physical activities.
Convener of the Health and Sport Committee, Neil Findlay MSP said: “The variety of sports and physical activity on offer in communities is a real testament to the efforts and dedication of sport and community groups. We recognise the hard work that is going on to try and improve and expand participation rates.
“However, we are disappointed that overall participation figures have remained fairly stagnant over the past decade. In fact, we found that many of the issues raised during this inquiry have been raised before.
“The Committee believes these findings show how wide ranging decisions and initiatives across different portfolios taken at both governmental and local level can have wider impacts.
“We look forward to a response from the Scottish Government to tell us what its plans are to increase participation rates and to hear what lessons have been learned over the past decade”.
Further information is available via this link.
Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee is looking to hear views from the general public as the Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) Bill starts its journey through the Scottish Parliament. Continue reading Equalities Committee seeks views on Historic Pardons Bill
