Women 50:50 is the goal – equal representation for women in politics. But how do we go about it? If it were going to happen of its own accord it surely would have done by now, but instead the figures remain obstinately disappointing. Despite the fact that women are actually a small majority of the …
Promoting Equality in Elections – from AWS to Zipping Read More »
This blog is written by Lorna Slater Laura Moodie from the Scottish Green Party: 2016 was a watershed year for women’s representation in politics and the Scottish Greens. It was the year we, like many parties, realised that the scratching-the-surface approaches of all-women short-lists, softly-softly encouragement and leaving the heavy lifting to women themselves simply …
The Scottish Green Party’s work to improve women’s representation for 2021. Read More »
Every year, the Scottish Government publishes a Programme for Government setting out its plans and priorities for the coming year – the Holyrood equivalent of the Queen’s Speech, but with far less pomp and ceremony. When the Scottish Parliament was set up in 1999, it was with lots of input from feminist organisations, and the …
Moving Up The Agenda: Women’s Issues in the Programme for Government Read More »
My name is Dr Nighet Riaz and I am the equality officer for the SNP Pollokshields branch in Glasgow Scotland. I also hold a post of Approved Assessor, and have acted as a panel member on vetting panels to support applicants through the process to be considered as potential candidates in current and future elections, …
UK Local Government Associations: Joint Statement on Civility in Public Life. The intimidation and abuse of Councillors, in person or otherwise, undermines democracy; it can prevent elected members from representing the communities they serve, prevent individuals from standing for election and undermine public trust in democratic processes. These harmful behaviours, whether occurring towards, between or …
This blog is from Michelle Campbell, SNP councillor for Erskine & Inchinnan In May 2017, I proudly became a councillor in my first ever election as a candidate. It was such a surreal experience being the face of a campaign, but also one of the most vulnerable moments I have felt. I would compare the …
To make equality happen, politics needs to lead by example Read More »
Two years ago, almost to the day I sat in the Council Chambers in Midlothian moving a motion on maternity leave for Councillors. I was 6 months pregnant by then, and at that point had literally no idea how I was going to have time to give birth (!). My motion passed and Midlothian became …
It’s time for fair family leave policy for our councillors – Kelly Parry Read More »
Earlier this month we wrote to all the major parties represented in the Scottish Parliament and asked them what they are doing to increase the number of women candidates in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections, as selections are currently taking place. We have received responses from 4 out of 5 of the parties and here …
Internal political party discussions are heating up as selections take place for Scottish Parliament candidates, but the talk isn’t about women’s representation. In the 2016 election, the SNP, Scottish Labour and the Greens either met the 50% women candidates target or came very close. As candidates are being selected, we think it is worth reminding …
This blog is from Alison Johnstone MSP, Scottish Greens Lothian MSP and a representative on the Women 50:50 steering group: In June last year a report, produced by the Scottish Parliament’s Standard’s Committee, into sexual harassment at the Scottish Parliament, called for urgent action. The report made several recommendations including mandatory training to encourage “positive …
