Report to the People
International Women’s Day
Last Wednesday was the 90th International Women’s Day.
First suggested by Clara Zelkin in 1910, it is a day on which women throughout Scotland and the world can celebrate the contribution they have made and continue to make to society.
To mark the day, the Scottish Parliament held a members debate on the issue. Given that half the Labour MSPs are women and that just over one third of the total membership of the Scottish Parliament is female, it was fitting that we should hold such a debate.
Indeed the need for such a debate is clear. Despite the passing of the Equal Pay Act 30 years ago, women are still paid less than men in equivalent jobs. The long-running issues of family friendly employment and access to childcare remain high on the agenda. And, more sinisterly, the scourge of domestic violence persists.
So what has the Scottish Parliament done for women? In its short life it has already made a number of positive moves. It is making more money available to help local authorities provide extra nursery places. Through the New Opportunities Fund, it is helping to create more after-school care for children, such as homework clubs, to keep our kids off the streets and out of danger. The Parliament is also working with the Women's Aid movement to support victims of domestic abuse.
In terms of women’s health, the Executive will create an additional 80 one-stop breast clinics by 2002. New guidelines have been issued to general practitioners to speed up the diagnosis of breast cancer. Child and maternal health, too, have been made a top priority. We are working to improve diet, increase the level of breast-feeding, and to encourage pregnant women to give up smoking.
The Executive is also working to increase the representation of women in public life. A paper has been launched to ensure that equality issues are at the heart of policy making. The representation of people with disabilities and people from the ethnic minorities must similarly be widened, particularly in the senior civil service.
There is, admittedly, a long way to go, but I believe that we have started well and that our new Parliament is now on a long march towards a more equal society. The Parliament must offer to women in all the communities of Scotland practical policies that will enable them to realise fully their potential. Such a release of talent can only serve the cause of a better, and more prosperous, tolerant and equal Scotland.
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