Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

Is everyone sitting comfortably? Then we will begin. Laughter. The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-10851, in the name of Angela Constance, o...

The Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities (Angela Constance) SNP

Today is international women’s day: a global day to celebrate women’s achievements and to call for accelerated action towards gender parity. This year’s them...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con

I am grateful to Angela Constance for leading this debate, which is being held on international women’s day—a worldwide event that is aimed at celebrating wo...

Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Annie Wells Con

I would like to carry on, thank you. In addressing why the gender pay gap exists, we must, of course, look at why women are not better represented in the hi...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

I wish that my role as women and equality spokesperson did not need to exist. I wish that international women’s day did not need to exist. However, 100 years...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. Speeches will be of six minutes, although I have quite a bit of time in hand, so there is room to be flexible and to give time ba...

Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP

Today is international women’s day. Someone, who will remain nameless, asked me earlier, “When is international men’s day?” That reminded me of when I was yo...

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this international women’s day debate. There are many topics that could be covered: the gender pay gap, childcare provi...

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP) SNP

I am fascinated by Margaret Mitchell’s progress, although I am not sure where she is going. The Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee looked at the gender pa...

Margaret Mitchell Con

I hope to develop that theme, but my point is that many more young girls are now qualifying in law. I therefore expect to see a corresponding increase in wom...

Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) SNP

Where Margaret Mitchell finished off is a good place to start, because gender parity is at least 200 years away, according to the World Economic Forum’s “Glo...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I remind everyone that we still have a bit of time in hand, if people feel the urge to make interventions. 15:17

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Today, on international women’s day, it is great to see a woman presiding over us. History is written by the winners and, for as long as we have been living...

Angela Constance SNP

I am very grateful to Ms Beamish for giving way on what is a hugely important and sensitive matter. I think that we are at one on this. The point that the Fi...

Claudia Beamish Lab

I welcome that intervention, because part of the issue is that good women and good men work need to work together in this chamber and globally on those issue...

Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) SNP

My speech today should have been the easiest that I have had to write. My speech last year was one of the easiest that I have ever written, but my speech thi...

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green) Green

So here we are, on international women’s day 2018 and, as Christina McKelvie and others have noted, the World Economic Forum’s 2017 global gender gap report ...

Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) SNP

I say to Alison Johnstone that this little thing will certainly not let certain aspects rest. Laughter. Having been born and brought up in Govan and listened...

Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

There is ample time if you feel obliged to take Mr Doris’s intervention.

Bob Doris SNP

I am delighted that Sandra White has taken my intervention, because I would like to mention another remarkable lady, who I had the opportunity to meet the ot...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I will make up your time for the intervention, Ms White.

Sandra White SNP

I thank Bob Doris for that and perhaps look forward to making a joint visit to the group, which would be fantastic. I cannot finish without mentioning the G...

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD) LD

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in this important debate and for the consensus on the Government’s motion. My life has been filled by the impact o...

Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP) SNP

International women’s day is just as important now as ever, and I am sure that this year’s awareness day will help to progress the cause of true gender equal...

Maurice Corry (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I fully agree with Clare Haughey that we are surrounded by strong women today. I am lucky enough to have the same at home, with my wife and three daughters. ...

Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) SNP

I am delighted to speak in this debate on international women’s day and to talk about the inspirational and amazing women who have shaped our society and con...

Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con

Throughout my life, I have been inspired by a number of influential women, who have each helped to change the world in their own way. As I looked back at som...

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

Does Michelle Ballantyne agree that the launch of the women in agriculture task force, headed by Joyce Campbell and Fergus Ewing, at the Royal Highland Show ...