Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 08 March 2018
08 Mar 2018 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
International Women’s Day
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 Glasgow girls, who were already mentioned by the cabinet secretary. From the very beginning of their campaign, Christina McKelvie and I were involved. We must pay tribute to Euan Girvan, who was the headteacher at Drumchapel high school and who got those girls together. It took a huge amount of courage to go forward, but we know the story of what happened with the dawn raids and the fantastic work that the group did, particularly the seven young women, in highlighting the poor treatment of asylum seekers.
I will continue a wee bit longer to talk about what happened to some of the Glasgow girls. I still meet Amal and Roza socially and go on demos with them, as they are very much involved in social justice. Roza went on to study law and politics at the University of Strathclyde; she stood as a Scottish National Party candidate in the most recent local council elections and came very close to winning. That just shows the courage that those young girls had.
Basically, women should support women. The Glasgow girls, Amal and Roza in particular, are a beacon for what women can do when they get encouragement.
15:47In the same item of business
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 ...