Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

I remind members of the Covid-related measures that are in place and that face coverings should be worn when moving around the chamber and the Holyrood campu...

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government (Shona Robison) SNP

I will start by saying clearly and unequivocally that across the Scottish Parliament we stand united—as we always have done—in our condemnation of violence a...

Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

Today marks the 30th international day for the elimination of violence against women. Society has come some way to recognising the need to protect the rights...

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of interests: I am a previous board member of Engender Scotland and a current member of the GMB. I tha...

Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am a trustee of Shetland Women’s Aid. I, too, pay tribute to Scottish Women’s Aid, Rape...

Jim Fairlie (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) SNP

I express my disappointment that there are not more men in the chamber today. Applause. It gives me no pleasure to speak in the debate, because, in this day ...

Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I am grateful to be contributing to today’s debate, but it gives me no pleasure to do so. The eradication of violence against women is a subject that is par...

The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone) NPA

I call Elena Whitham, to be followed by Pauline McNeill. 15:44

Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) SNP

As a former Scottish Women’s Aid worker, I pay tribute to all the women and children I supported over a decade and who allowed me into their lives. It was a ...

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I thank Shona Robison—the cabinet secretary—Pam Duncan-Glancy and Meghan Gallacher for their excellent front-bench contributions, and other members for their...

Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) SNP

It is a pleasure to follow that excellent speech from Pauline McNeill. Like the cabinet secretary and others today, I am thinking of all the women who have l...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green

Before I begin, I refer to my entry in the register of interests, which shows that, pre-election, I worked for a Rape Crisis centre. Once again, I thank all...

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP

I ask members to think about three questions. Do you feel safe when you walk out of the Parliament building in the evening? Do you feel safe going out for a ...

Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak in this debate, which is, as we have seen today, on a subject on which all parties can unite. I acknowledge th...

Michelle Thomson (Falkirk East) (SNP) SNP

In 2016, when I was a member of Parliament, I spoke in the House of Commons about being raped at the age of 14. Too little has changed. In the immediate afte...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

Mercedes Villalba is the final speaker in the open debate. I remind colleagues who have participated in the debate that they need to be in the chamber for cl...

Mercedes Villalba (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Today, we mark the 30th international day for the elimination of violence against women. Despite some progress having been made, it is clear that gender-base...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

We move to closing speeches. 16:35

Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

In closing for Scottish Labour, I share the sentiment that has been expressed in the debate and I add my voice to other members’ voices. Not only is violenc...

Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

We have heard some powerful speeches in the debate. Each year, as we mark the international day for the elimination of violence against women, we agree that ...

The Minister for Social Security and Local Government (Ben Macpherson) SNP

First, I thank all colleagues who have given remarkably thoughtful, moving, courageous and emotive contributions this afternoon. Summing up the debate will b...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

That concludes the debate on the international day for the elimination of violence against women.