Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Lewis Macdonald) Lab

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-23481, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on making Scotland equally safe: marking the annual intern...

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People (Shirley-Anne Somerville) SNP

Violence against women and girls is one of the most devastating and fundamental violations of human rights. It has to stop and we have to take meaningful act...

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con

I am pleased to open the debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation: that must underpin eve...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I call Rhoda Grant to speak to and move amendment S5M-23481.1. 15:54

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

We must debate action against violence against women and girls throughout the year. However, it is right that we have an annual debate to review progress on ...

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green) Green

Rhoda Grant is right that we need a new culture, and I would like to live in a culture where such a debate was not necessary on an annual basis. The Scottis...

Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

I declare an interest as a current board member of Shetland Women’s Aid. The Scottish Liberal Democrats will vote for the motion and both amendments. I, to...

Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) SNP

Presiding Officer, “If I’m not in on Friday, I might be dead”. Those are the words of a mother of five who was beheaded by her husband of 30 years. It is a...

Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

It gives me no pleasure to speak in the debate. However, it is important that we speak. Last year, the international day for the elimination of violence aga...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I encourage members to stick to the limit of four minutes. 16:21

Maurice Corry (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the international day for the elimination of violence against women, particularly as a proud parent ...

Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) SNP

Last week, I hosted an event at which we discussed how women have been particularly adversely affected during the Covid-19 pandemic. We spoke of the financia...

Johann Lamont (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

It is a privilege to follow so many powerful speeches. The debate, marking the international day for the elimination of violence against women, is an import...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP

I wanted to speak in the debate, but the fact that it still needs to take place indicates that, although progress has been made, there is still a long way to...

Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP) SNP

Every three days in the United Kingdom, one woman is killed by a man. That figure has been unchanged for a decade. This afternoon, I have four minutes in whi...

James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) SNP

Before I start, I will just say that I feel a bit embarrassed, if not ashamed, to be sitting here debating this, particularly after listening to the last fou...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

We come to the closing speeches. I must ask the closing speakers to keep to their time, as we have no extra time. 16:46

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

We have had stunning contributions from women from across the parties, but Gillian Martin, Johann Lamont, Ruth Maguire, Rachael Hamilton and Joan McAlpine st...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Jeremy Balfour to close for the Conservatives. 16:52

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con) Con

Debates of this type can sometimes be rather stale, in that everyone knows what everyone else is going to say at the beginning, but that has not been the cas...

The Minister for Older People and Equalities (Christina McKelvie) SNP

Like Pauline McNeill and other members in the chamber, I feel that this debate has been an incredible and important one. I have been taking part in debates i...

Johann Lamont Lab

Will the minister take an intervention?

Christina McKelvie SNP

I might be just about to answer the member’s question.

Johann Lamont Lab

I appreciate the minister taking the intervention. We are, of course, agreed on this, but I want to ask a very specific thing. As the minister responsible fo...

Christina McKelvie SNP

I am more than happy to address that. Jeremy Balfour also raised a few issues that I have committed to raising with Humza Yousaf. Members will not be surpris...

Maurice Corry Con

Will the member take an intervention?

Christina McKelvie SNP

Yes, if I have time, Presiding Officer.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

You will have to absorb it.

Christina McKelvie SNP

Okay—Maurice Corry can go for it.

Maurice Corry Con

The question of the victims who are not able to sign up or register if their offender is put into jail for less than 18 months is a concern, which is not inc...