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.