Tag: Scottish Women's Convention

Scottish Parliament to host International Women’s Day event

Over 130 women will gather in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament tomorrow for an event ahead of International Women’s Day.

The theme of this year’s event will be to celebrate and recognise the achievements of women during the pandemic. Held with support from the Scottish Women’s Convention, the event will begin at 2pm on Saturday 5 March. It will also be broadcast live.

Chaired by the Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP, women who have come from communities across the country, will hear from a number of speakers including:

The Rt. Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister;
Professor Linda Bauld, The Bruce and John Usher Chair of Public Health at the University of Edinburgh;
Actress Carmen Pieraccini;
Brenda King MBE.

The Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP said: “This event will bring together women from across Scotland to celebrate their achievements and share their collective ambition to build a better and more sustainable country as we start to think about our recovery from the pandemic.

“Women from the world of politics, academia and entertainment will share their perspective. My hope is that the day will raise aspirations of what we can achieve together.”

Agnes Tolmie, Chair, Scottish Women’s Convention, said; ““The SWC has been showcasing Women in Scotland’s contributions to their communities throughout the pandemic. We are proud of the range of achievements of women during one of the most difficult periods of our history.

“We are looking forward to an afternoon of inspiring and motivational contributions which showcase women in Scotland’s achievements. We will also hear how women have become empowered to be part of the solution to making Scotland a greener, fairer nation.”

The event will be available to watch on SPTV from 2pm on Saturday 5 March.  

Indicative timings are below:

2.00pm   Welcome by the Presiding Officer

2.05pm    Opening remarks from Agnes Tolmie 

2.10pm    First Minister, the Rt. Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP

2.30pm   Professor Linda Bauld

               Cross Party Panel of MSPs

3.00pm    Pam Gosal MSP 

3.05pm    Maggie Chapman MSP 

3.10pm    Christina McKelvie MSP 

3.15pm   Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP

3.20pm   Panellist Q&A         

3.50pm   Brenda King MBE 

4.00pm   Carmen Pieraccini

4.15pm    Event close

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