Tag: Women

ScottishPower illuminates Edinburgh Castle to mark extension of support for Women’s Football in Scotland

Edinburgh Castle became a shining tribute to Scotland’s female footballers on Saturday night, with striking images of players of all ages and stages projected onto the iconic landmark to mark ScottishPower signing up to support the women’s game for another three years.

From the Castle Esplanade, players, coaches and parents gathered at dusk as the historic fortress was illuminated with projected footage showcasing the journeys of young players developing into emerging professionals alongside existing stars and professional players, bringing to life what is increasingly possible through ScottishPower’s continued support.

The projection marks the extension of ScottishPower’s exclusive Principal Partnership with Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL), first announced back in 2023 as the biggest single investment in Scottish women’s football.

The leading green energy company also confirmed it will continue to sponsor the Scottish Youth Challenge Cups at all three age groups, SWF’s National & Regional league cups and is again backing the fast-growing Scottish Women’s Highlands and Islands League and Cup.

Over the next three years, ScottishPower will continue to actively support both the SWF and the SWPL as they accelerate the growth of the women’s game, all the way from grassroots to elite up and down the country.

Keith Anderson, ScottishPower Chief Executive, said: “At ScottishPower, we’re committed to equality of opportunity, and over the past three years our partnership with Scottish Women’s Football and the Scottish Women’s Premier League has shown just how powerful the right support can be for girls and women across Scotland.

“We’re proud to back the elite end of the game, but just as importantly, to help strengthen the entire pathway – from grassroots and youth football right through to the highest level.

“Together, we’ve focused on making a real, practical impact, from providing kit and boots to girls across the country to supporting development in areas like the Highlands and Islands that can too often be overlooked.

“Renewing our support for another three years is a clear statement of our intent. We’re in this for the long term, committed to building momentum and helping women’s football in Scotland reach its full potential.”

Aileen Campbell, CEO at Scottish Women’s Football, added: “ScottishPower’s continued commitment is a hugely important vote of confidence in the women’s and girls’ game across the country.

“This partnership has already helped us strengthen the foundations of football in communities, supporting participation, improving the player pathway, and creating more opportunities for girls to stay in the sport and progress, whatever their starting point.

“The continuation of support for our National and Regional cups, the Youth Challenge Cups and the Highlands and Islands League and Cup is especially significant, because it reaches players and volunteers at every level. We’re proud of what has been achieved so far, and we’re excited to keep building real momentum over the next three years.”

Fiona McIntyre, Managing Director of Scottish Women’s Premier League, said: “This renewal is a powerful statement about the future of women’s football in Scotland.

“The SWPL has been on a clear journey of growth in standards, visibility and ambition, and having a long-term principal partner like ScottishPower enables our clubs and players to keep driving progress both on and off the pitch.

“Crucially, it also strengthens the connection between the top of the game and the grassroots and youth pathway, ensuring young players across Scotland can see a clear and achievable future in football.

“We’re immensely grateful for ScottishPower’s continued belief in what women’s football can become and the positive impact it can have on communities nationwide.”

ScottishPower is at the heart of communities across the country, whether it’s through the thousands of green jobs being created, the renewable power it generates or the secure, stable electricity it supplies –keeping the lights on from power to plug.

This landmark football partnership aligns with parent company, Iberdrola, which has been promoting equality through sport since 2016, through competitions and federations in Spain and Brazil.

Outside the UK, it supports more than 100 competitions, 32 of them as Iberdrola leagues, reaching an estimated 600,000 female athletes.

Local MP warns women in Scotland are being failed by NHS waiting times

An Edinburgh MP has warned that long NHS waiting times are having a serious impact on women across the Lothians, as concerns grow about a two-tier healthcare system emerging in Scotland.

Private healthcare admissions in Scotland recently hit a record high, raising fresh concerns that patients are increasingly being pushed to pay for treatment due to long NHS wait times.

Tracy Gilbert MP says these delays are particularly affecting women, who are often left waiting the longest for treatment, including for gynaecological conditions and diagnostic tests.

Edinburgh North and Leith MP Tracy Gilbert said: “Across Edinburgh and the Lothians, too many women are being left waiting far too long for the care they need.

“For many women, these delays aren’t just frustrating; they mean months or even years living with pain, uncertainty or conditions that are affecting their daily lives.

“When people feel forced to consider paying privately just to be seen sooner, it raises serious concerns about a two-tier system emerging in our NHS.

“Women across Scotland deserve timely, high-quality care through our NHS, regardless of their ability to pay.”

Championing Women In The Water At Lost Shore

Celebrate International Women’s Day with all women’s surf sessions and film screenings

This International Women’s Day, Scotland’s pioneering inland surf destination Lost Shore Surf Resort,  is championing women in and out of the water with all-women surf lessons and sessions as well as two film screenings. 

First up on Friday 6th March, Lost Shore is hosting a mini-film premiere and Q&A; ‘In Conversation with Amy Swims’. The evening starts with the premiere of Loch Ness Swim Challenge documentary film, before a Q&A session with the world record ultramarathon swimmer herself, Amy Ennion aka Amy Swims. 

Tickets cost £15 with all profits going to Lost Shore’s affiliated charities; The Wave Project and Inclusive Surfing Scotland, that deliver surf therapy sessions for young people and adaptive surf sessions at Lost Shore, improving lives through surfing.

Then on Sunday 8th March, Lost Shore, recently named the world’s best surf park, is running dedicated all-women lessons for beginners and improvers, plus sessions on the Cruiser and Turns settings. Tickets are priced from £65 which also includes a hot buffet dinner at Lost Kitchen and an evening film screening focused on women in surfing.

Lee Wood, Lost Shore Surf Resort’s MD, said: “From the outset, we’ve wanted Lost Shore to feel welcoming to everyone.

“Creating dedicated space for women to surf together is part of that, whether it’s about feeling more relaxed trying something new or progressing without feeling self-conscious. Time and time again we see the experience is a joyful one!”

For more information and to book a visit or stay, head to www.lostshore.com. 

Scotland’s first helpline for women experiencing economic abuse

Purple Phone helpline launched

Scotland’s first confidential helpline for victims and survivors of economic abuse has been launched by Financially Included, an organisation that supports women to recover from a controlling and often hidden form of gender-based violence.

As the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign draws to a close, Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan visited East Renfrewshire to find out more about Financially Included’s Purple Phone Helpline, part of a new economic abuse pilot project supported by Scottish Government funding.

The helpline provides advice, emotional support and financial guidance to women experiencing economic abuse. She heard about the help they gave to one woman, Caroline*. After leaving an abusive relationship, the mother of four was supported by Financially Included to claim a range of benefits and payments she was entitled to, helping Caroline to work towards financial independence and a stable future for her family.

Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “Financially Included’s pioneering Purple Phone Helpline will be an invaluable source of advice to women across Scotland who need help to escape or recover from economic abuse.

“Tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms is one of our key priorities, with investment of £21.6 million this year through the Delivering Equally Safe fund, to support specialist services like Financially Included, making a real difference to women’s lives.”

Councillor Katie Pragnell, Chair of East Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board said: “We’re proud to lead the way in collaboration with other local organisations as part of the East Renfrewshire Violence against Women and Girls Partnership and we are committed to making sure no one faces abuse alone.

“This helpline is more than a phone number – it’s a lifeline. It means women and children trapped by financial control now have somewhere to turn.”  

Amber Cully, Project Manager at Financially Included, said: “We are delighted to be entering into this partnership in East Renfrewshire to build on the vital work in tackling economic abuse and to strengthen specialist support for women affected across the area.

“Through this partnership, we will deliver training on recognising and responding to economic abuse, provide a second-tier advice service for frontline workers supporting victim-survivors.

“Using additional funding from the Scottish Government this year, we are expanding our work nationally, with East Renfrewshire the first area to commit to working with us in this way.

“Our vision is to grow this into a Scotland-wide network, ensuring a consistent, sustainable and trauma-informed response for victim-survivors across the country.” 

The confidential and free Purple Phone Helpline number is 0343 841 0132. It is currently open Monday 16:30–19:30, Wednesday 10:00–13:00 and Thursday 13:30–16:30. Translators are available on request.

Financially Included is a pilot project led by Greater Easterhouse Money Advice Project in partnership with Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership.

The project focuses on improving the provision of money advice across gender-based violence sectors through training and toolkit resources.

Caroline’s story

Caroline* was referred to Financially Included by Glasgow Women’s Aid two years ago. A survivor of sustained physical, emotional and economic abuse, Caroline is a single mother of four children, two of whom have since been diagnosed with autism. When she first came to the service, Caroline was a full-time student, working part-time and managing multiple health conditions linked to years of trauma and injury.

Despite the abuse, Caroline remained financially tied to the perpetrator through a jointly owned home, shared benefits and mounting debt. She faced benefit complications, mortgage insecurity, damaged credit, and serious housing disrepair including damp and mould. Her situation was made even more complex by ongoing stalking, threats from her former partner, and significant barriers to accessing affordable legal support.

Financially Included provided intensive, trauma-informed support across benefits, housing, debt and energy advice and supported Caroline to secure disability benefits for herself and her son, challenged incorrect benefit decisions and assisted with a Criminal Injuries Compensation application.

They also provided emotional support to Caroline while she completed these processes, acknowledging the trauma involved in revisiting her experiences. She was also supported with council tax exemption, rising mortgage pressures, household debt directly linked to economic abuse, and energy advice to address unsafe living conditions.

While Caroline continues to face serious challenges around housing security and legal protections, she now feels more confident managing as a single parent and navigating complex systems. She continues to receive multi-agency support, including from Women’s Aid, schools, health services and her employer.

*Name changed to protect identity.

Menopause Goals at Spartans

Join us for the next block on Menopause Goals:

Come along and meet like-minded women who understand the challenges that all stages of menopause bring!

Contact Jenni for info 07831 721086, jenniferpullen@spartanscf.com

Register:

https://app.upshot.org.uk/signup/5f23b8a1/a680edb0155db8c3/

Victory for For Women Scotland

UK Supreme Court rules legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex

Tory party leader KEMI BADENOCH has welcomed the Court verdict: “Saying “trans women are women” was never true in fact and now isn’t true in law, either.

“A victory for all of the women who faced personal abuse or lost their jobs for stating the obvious. Women are women and men are men: you cannot change your biological sex.

“The era of Keir Starmer telling us that some women have penises has come to an end. Hallelujah! Well done @ForWomenScot!”

SCOTLAND’s ALBA Party has also welcomed the judgement. ALBA Women’s Convener Kirsty Fraser said: “Since our inception, the ALBA Party have been steadfast in standing up for the sex-based rights of Women and Girls across Scotland.

“We wholeheartedly welcome the judgement by the Supreme Court which vindicates our longstanding position on this issue.

“Now is the time for our political leaders in Scotland to reflect on their actions over recent years and recognise that the rights of women merit some attention”

ALBA Party Depute Leader, Neale Hanvey said: “The UK Supreme Court judgement has clearly established in law the boundaries between protected characteristics contained in the Equality Act making clear that Sex in the Act pertains to biological natal sex.

“This judgement will reverberate around the world thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Marion, Trina and Susan of For Women Scotland.”

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “The Scottish Government accepts today’s Supreme Court judgement. The ruling gives clarity between two relevant pieces of legislation passed at Westminster.

“We will now engage on the implications of the ruling. Protecting the rights of all will underpin our actions.”

Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman responded on X: “Sending love and solidarity to trans people everywhere.

“We will always fight to protect human rights, dignity and respect for all people.

“We stand with the trans community today, tomorrow and always.”

LABOUR’S Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities, said: ” We have always supported the protection of single-sex spaces based on biological sex.

“This ruling brings clarity and confidence, for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges and sports clubs.

“Single sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.”

Ms Phillipson’s remarks were followed by similar comments by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who said on X this evening: “I’ve always called for the protection of single sex spaces on the basis of biological sex.

“This judgment gives clarity to women and service users about the protections in the Equality Act. The SNP Government must provide clear guidance for Scottish public services so they can implement the Equality Act properly to uphold dignity for all.”

In fact Sarwar voted IN FAVOUR of the SNP’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. The official Scottish Parliament record shows that only two Labour MSPs – Carol Mochan and Claire Baker – voted against!

NHS Fife has issued a statement following this morning’s Supreme Court ruling: “NHS Fife notes the clarity provided by today’s Supreme Court ruling regarding the legal definition of a woman.

“We will now take time to carefully consider the judgment and its implications.”

Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry MP said before the judgement was announced: “Whatever way the judgement falls three extraordinary women will well and truly have cemented their right to be remembered alongside Scotland’s great feminists like Mary Burton, Elise Inglis, and Frances Wright.“

She added later: Today’s judgment is not about rolling back trans rights. It is a victory for grass roots activism because self-funding feminist and lesbian groups have fought the might of the state and won.”

Baroness Falkner, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said:

Practical guidance for equal participation and representation of women published by the Scottish Parliament

New guidance that aims to improve equal participation and representation of women in parliaments around the world has today been published by the Scottish Parliament.

The development of Gender Sensitising Parliaments: A Practical Guide was led by academics from the University of Edinburgh, Professor Sarah Childs, Personal Chair of Politics and Gender, and Professor Meryl Kenny, Professor of Gender and Politics.

The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, commissioned an audit, with participation from a cross-party group of MSPs and external experts, to assess its own progress towards being gender sensitive.

The audit reported that, while the Parliament had made good progress, the equal representation of women was not yet embedded.

The Scottish Parliament Audit, A Parliament for All, recommended a package of changes that were designed to strengthen equal representation and participation of women and the mainstreaming of gender equality across the Parliament’s work, which the Scottish Parliament is working towards implementing.

The development of a Practical Guide was one of the recommendations in the Audit.

The new Guide outlines core principles and practices of a gender sensitive parliament and sets out a six-step process to evaluate and enhance gender sensitivity in parliaments.

It also highlights the importance of a broad understanding of gender sensitivity, enthusiastic leadership, collaborative ethos, robust research, and institutional support in working towards equal participation and representation in parliaments.

Reflecting on the publication of the Guide, Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, said: “I am delighted to see The Guide published and would like to express my gratitude to Professor Childs and Professor Kenny for their work.”

“Research shows that the strength of democracy is improved by having greater diversity in our parliaments. When a parliament better reflects the communities it serves, better decisions are made.

“This guidance includes lessons from our Gender Sensitive Audit, which itself was informed by ground-breaking work from organisations across the globe. I hope it is useful and look forward to hearing of other legislatures’ experiences as they work towards equal participation and representation.”

Professor Sarah Childs said: “More and more parliaments are undertaking gender sensitive audits. This can only be a good thing.

“This Guide provides lessons learned from the Scottish Parliament audit, which can help showcase why it matters, and how to undertake, a gender sensitive audit. We hope that it will encourage even more parliaments to embrace the principle and practices of gender sensitising parliaments.”

Professor Meryl Kenny said: ““Scotland is one of an increasing number of countries around the world committed to reforms that will gender sensitise its parliament.

“This Guide takes this ongoing work forward by sharing the Scottish Parliament’s experiences, and offering a practical route map to gender sensitising a parliament on the ground. A parliament that is inclusive of and responsive to women, in all their diversity, is a more representative and effective parliament.”

Gender Sensitising Parliaments A Practical GuideDownload

Women’s Charity marks 90th at Conference in Edinburgh

Registered women’s charity, Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI), is celebrating its 90th year by relaunching its national railway safety project.

On 1-3 November, the charity – which has consultancy status at the United Nations – held its 90th conference at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh and used this milestone occasion to take a fresh look at a project first carried out 28 years ago.

First launched in 1996, ‘The Future of the Railways’ was an investigation into personal safety on the railways, which the charity’s members – known as Soroptimists – used to lobby the Government into taking action to do more to protect women on public transport.

It was launched in response to a Soroptimist being attacked on a train in the London area.

Soroptimists carried out grassroots research into the views and experiences of women passengers, as well as speaking to station managers and staff and visiting over 500 over-ground stations across Britain.

SIGBI published a report making recommendations to the UK Government on how to improve safety in stations, claiming the Government’s approach to passenger safety in railway stations was ineffective.

To further advance the work being done, the charity is kickstarting the project again – asking the same questions to the UK’s railway stations, to see how much has changed, as well as expanding it to airports and bus stations, to obtain a more detailed bigger picture of women’s safety across the country. The charity is also questioning whether the Government’s approach to passenger safety has moved on since 1996.

Over 500 women attended the three-day conference, with each day having a different theme – educate, empower, and enable.

Ruth Healey, President of SIGBI, said: “We’re so proud of the work our members have carried out over the last 90 years.

“The goal of all our projects is to stand up for women and girls, advocating for equal rights, opportunities, and representation. The relaunch of our railway safety project will be key in advancing this important issue and bringing it to the forefront of policy makers’ agendas.

“It was only in August this year that the British Transport Police reported that violence against women and girls on British railways has risen by more than 50% over two years.

“Clearly, more needs to be done, and urgently. We’re proud to be playing our part in helping to shape a safer environment for women when travelling.”

Soroptimists are carrying out ‘Bystander Awareness’ training in communities up and down the UK, in a bid to help identify and prevent violence against women and girls.

As well as panel discussions, and an address from Baroness Floella Benjamin, the charity also hosted its Best Practice Awards at the conference – a scheme which celebrates clubs’ projects.

At the conference, the charity also collected over 2,300 pants for Edinburgh-based charity, Smalls for All – a charity that collects underwear for people in the UK and Africa who can’t afford or access any.

Maria Macnamara, Founder and CEO of Smalls for All, said: “Giving pants and bras may seem like a small thing, but it can make a life-changing difference. Each month many teenage girls miss school, and women miss work, because of a lack of access to underwear means they’re forced to stay at home during their period. 

“Demand remains huge in Africa, but, in recent years, has also increased significantly in the UK. 

“We’re so grateful to have been part of the SIGBI conference to share our message and express our thanks to the Soroptimists for the wonderful donations they’ve made, both at this conference and over the years.”

Ruth concluded: “It’s been incredible getting so many Soroptimists in one room to reflect on what we’ve achieved, as well as to look ahead to the next phase of some of our key projects.

“It’s only by working together that we can empower women and girls to achieve their full potential and eliminate barriers and discriminations that hinder women’s progress.”

To mark the charity’s nine decades, Soroptimists are also completing a ‘90 for 90 years’ challenge – including everything from supporting foodbanks, to knitting for premature baby units, to donating items to domestic abuse charities, and more.