Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 08 March 2022
08 Mar 2022 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
International Women’s Day 2022
That is kind, Presiding Officer.
Rhoda Grant touched on the additional challenges that women face in more rural and remote parts of our country. In my time as an MSP, that has come up again and again. In large parts of the country, we too often make provision only for telephone or other remote offerings. In their time of crisis, many women who live in rural communities are asked to travel disproportionate and excessive distances to receive medical treatment, counselling and other expert advice services. That can be impossible because of the cost, caring responsibilities, unsupportive partners or family influences.
There is no point in living in a country that claims to stand for equality when equality exists only for those who live in certain postcodes. I ask all who make decisions, and particularly the Scottish Government, to keep it at the forefront of their minds that we cannot move forward and break the bias if we are not willing to challenge issues that remain in our own society.
15:56In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-03485, in the name of Nicola Sturgeon, on international women’s day 2022. I would be grateful if members ...
The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon)
SNP
It is a privilege to open this debate. I will talk shortly about what international women’s day means for us here in Scotland, but this is also an opportunit...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
International women’s day has been observed for more than a century. In many parts of the world, much has changed for women since the early 1900s, from enfra...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
It is a great privilege to open the debate for Scottish Labour. If someone had asked me, just over a year ago, whether I thought that I would be doing this, ...
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
In last week’s members’ business debate on international women’s day, I spoke of the situation in Ukraine and in Afghanistan, and the impact that conflict ha...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the open debate. 15:05
Natalie Don (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP)
SNP
On this international women’s day, I am extremely proud to stand here in the most representative Parliament that this country has ever seen. As a woman from ...
Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I take the opportunity to celebrate some of the most influential and inspiring women who I know and call friends. In my role in the Parliament as shadow mini...
Kaukab Stewart (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
It is an absolute pleasure to speak in the debate and to stand with my colleagues as we celebrate the journeys and achievements of women all over the world o...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
The theme of international women’s day this year is “break the bias”. The very foundation of discrimination against women is a negative bias, whether in the ...
Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP)
SNP
What is it to be a woman? It is a risky business. So many harrowing examples of why that is have already been provided by colleagues in the debate. I could l...
Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green)
Green
Presiding Officer, “Cultures of domination rely on the cultivation of fear as a way to ensure obedience. In our society we make much of love and say little ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I call Paul McLennan, who will be followed by Oliver Mundell. 15:43
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak in this debate, Presiding Officer. On Saturday, I attended the international women’s day event in the Parli...
Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con)
Con
I have contributed to the international women’s day debate a number of times since I was first elected to the Parliament. That always strikes me as a little ...
Gillian Martin
SNP
Does the member appreciate that, when a man stands up to talk about women’s rights, that is greatly appreciated by women across the country?
Oliver Mundell
Con
I take that point. There is always a delicate balance to strike. We must ensure that we hear women’s voices, but I think that men—as Paul McLennan powerfully...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Mr Mundell, we have a little time in hand and you have taken an intervention, so I will allow you time if you want to mention an issue briefly.
Oliver Mundell
Con
That is kind, Presiding Officer. Rhoda Grant touched on the additional challenges that women face in more rural and remote parts of our country. In my time ...
Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
SNP
I acknowledge the work of women’s groups and communities across Scotland and the world to tackle women’s inequality. The work that they do is important, ofte...
Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
How fortunate I am today to stand in the chamber for the third time to address international women’s day. The first time was for a members’ business debate t...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
Over the past few horrific weeks, we have witnessed dreadful images of women, young and old, carrying their few possessions, some pushing baby buggies, throu...
Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I declare an interest as chair of Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council. I welcome the opportunity to speak in the chamber on international women...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Rona Mackay will be the last speaker in the open debate. 16:21
Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
On international women’s day 2022, it is time to break the bias that holds women back, be it deliberate or unconscious. We must call it out. We must not put ...
Katy Clark (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is a pleasure to make this closing speech on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party and associate myself with the solidarity with women and girls around the ...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
It is a pleasure to conclude on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. We have heard passionate contributions from members across the chamber, and, although w...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government (Shona Robison)
SNP
I thank all the members who have spoken in the debate. We have heard some fantastic, powerful and moving speeches from around the chamber. As Katy Clark desc...