Scottish Government
Printable version

All women Cabinet

Sturgeon announces first ever all-female Cabinet event.

The first ever all-women Cabinet event will be held on June 9 in Edinburgh - the date that will also mark 100 days to go until the independence referendum - Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon announced recently.

The all-women Cabinet event will bring together women from organisations across Scotland to discuss all of the issues of importance in the referendum. It will explore the opportunities to promote and improve gender equality with independence. Issues such as female representation on boards, the improvement of childcare and employment law - as well as the more general issues of the economy and social justice - will be on the agenda.

The audience, which will include women from organisations such as Engender, the Scottish Women’s Convention (SWC), STUC Scottish Women’s Aid, Close the Gap and Rape Crisis Scotland, will have the opportunity to ask questions of all of the female ministers in the Scottish Government including Nicola Sturgeon, Fiona Hyslop, Angela Constance and Shona Robison.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Scottish women make up 52 per cent of our population. It is therefore vital that women's voices are heard, which is why I will be pleased to host the first ever women-only Cabinet event.

“The Scottish Government is proud to have taken action on gender equality. We are expanding child care to 600 hours from August this year for all three and four year-olds and the most vulnerable two year-olds. Scottish female employment rate is now the highest of any UK nation, and the inactivity rate is the lowest. The Scottish Government also wants to see women make up at least 40 per cent of public and private boards in Scotland.

“However, there is still much work to do and I am clear that the Scottish Government must continue to lead by example. This all-women Cabinet event sends an important message to women in Scotland – that the Scottish Government is serious about ensuring a fair and prosperous society for all and that, following a vote for independence, we want women to have a strong voice in building our future.

“It is the right of every woman - whatever her age, wherever stage she is at in life - to be able to fulfil her potential in the labour market and in her wider life. This event will provide an opportunity for representatives from gender equality organisations across Scotland to discuss directly with me and my female ministerial colleagues, the opportunities which will arise in an independent Scotland.”

Agnes Tolmie, Scottish Women’s Convention Chair said:

“The SWC is delighted that the Scottish Government is organising this event to engage with women stakeholders. Our referendum conferences, taking place throughout the country, are providing grassroots women with a platform to raise questions and issues which are important to them. It is essential that women are given every opportunity to come together and be involved in discussions at this important time in Scotland's history.”

Emma Ritch, Engender’s Executive Director said:

“Engender looks forward to taking part in this important discussion about women’s equality in Scotland. Our members have talked over the past year about how the division of power and responsibility between Westminster and Holyrood affects their lives. We are keen to hear more detail from Scottish Government about their vision for women’s rights in an independent Scotland.”

Background

The First Minister announced two new female members to the Scottish Cabinet last week.

http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/-Stronger-voice-for-women-pensioners-and -young-people-b6f.aspx

Women have strong representation within the Scottish Government:

Deputy First Minister (Government strategy and the Constitution) and Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, Nicola Sturgeon.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop.

Cabinet Secretary designate for the Commonwealth Games, Sport, Equalities and Pensioners’ Rights, Shona Robison.

Cabinet Secretary designate for Training, Youth & Female Employment, Angela Constance.

Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Roseanna Cunningham.

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell.

Minister for Housing and Welfare, Margaret Burgess.

Contact Information

SG Communications

SGCommunications@scot.gov.uk

Angela-Claire Coutts

angela-claire.coutts@scot.gov.uk

Channel website: http://www.gov.scot/

Share this article

Latest News from
Scottish Government