Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-07002, in the name of Christina McKelvie, on recognising the vital role that men must play in challenging...

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

It is, of course, right that this Parliament collectively recognises the global campaign—the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence—that highlight...

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

Minister, you have talked about the risks, the momentum and the funding that is required, and I whole-heartedly support you in that regard. However, there is...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I remind members that they need to speak through the chair.

Christina McKelvie SNP

Mr Stewart has pre-empted the next part of my speech, so I thank him for that intervention. Earlier this month, I met members of the equally safe joint stra...

Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con) Con

The minister talked about ethnic minorities and BAME communities. What work is the Scottish Government doing to reach out to the men of those communities? We...

Christina McKelvie SNP

That is exactly what the debate is about. Across the equally safe joint strategic board, we have been doing that work and talking to all our diverse communit...

Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I thank the minister for bringing such an important debate to the chamber, and I am honoured to open the debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. This...

Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

Will Pam Gosal take an intervention?

Pam Gosal Con

Yes.

Karen Adam SNP

Predatory men do exist. They do not need to dress as a woman or to sign a statutory declaration for a gender recognition certificate in order to attack women...

Pam Gosal Con

The member is absolutely right, but there has to be a balance. I have said that in all the committees that I have made representations to. The balance must b...

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I am pleased to open the debate on behalf of Scottish Labour in the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. We welcome that the subject of the deb...

Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I thank my front bencher for giving way. Do you agree with me that, because of that prevalence in our education system, some responsibility needs to be take...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I remind members to speak through the chair.

Pauline McNeill Lab

I recognise the issue, and I agree that we should investigate it in a deeper way and think about how we can restrict such activity. In the social media age,...

Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

Violence against women and girls is underpinned by a culture of sexism and misogyny. Sexism and sexual harassment are normalised in our society. Daily occurr...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. 15:38

Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) SNP

I have been speaking in debates on the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence since 2016—that is six years of highlighting with other members the ...

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con) Con

I am privileged to be able to contribute to this important debate, and I thank the Scottish Government for lodging it. According to Engender, the root cause ...

Karen Adam SNP

Presiding Officer, I am concerned that we are conflating the gender recognition bill with men’s responsibility for gender-based violence. We should not be st...

Brian Whittle Con

I absolutely agree with the member on that point, but the trouble is that, as the UN special rapporteur Reem Alsalem said, the proposals “do not sufficientl...

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP

I thank the Minister for Equalities and Older People, Christina McKelvie, who has brought the issue of pervasive violence against women and girls to the atte...

Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

It is a pleasure to follow Bill Kidd’s speech, in which he talked of the evils of commercial sexual exploitation. I start by referring to the members’ busin...

Kaukab Stewart (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) SNP

The rallying cry of Iran’s protest movement, “women, life, freedom”, is simple, yet powerful. Ignited by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green

This debate is specifically about the role of men in challenging and eradicating violence against women and girls. I am sorry that some have chosen to weapon...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

James Dornan joins us remotely. 16:17

James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) SNP

Presiding Officer, in four months, I will be 70. I tell you that simply to explain the context in which I see this debate. I have lived through the times whe...

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

The Government motion is very worthy, and I agree with every word of it. On Monday, I visited Border Women’s Aid, which I commend for supporting hundreds of ...

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans (Keith Brown) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?