Hundreds of women to be part of an event to encourage more women into politics

The event, Scotland’s Women GatHER, will be held in the Scottish Parliament and simultaneously at five locations across Scotland including Aberdeen, Shetland, Inverclyde, Argyll and Bute, and Perth.  The day will be a celebration of the collective power of women across society, politics and culture.

Taking place across the Parliament campus, the event will start in the Debating Chamber with those attending hearing from a number of speakers including Talat Yaqoob, third-sector leader, writer and campaigner; a specially commissioned poem Her Words from Scotland’s Makar Kathleen Jamie; and a cross party group of politicians sharing their political journey. 

Those attending will also choose workshops which explore each stage of a woman’s journey into politics.

The Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said:

“The Parliament has made good progress on equal representation, but we can’t take anything for granted and there is still much more to do.

“This is why today hundreds of women from across the country will join together to explore how they can become more involved at all levels of political influence, both nationally and locally. 

“There is no shortage of ideas, enthusiasm or the need for change. The event today is a collective celebration of the change that women can bring together.”

Hannah Stevens, Chief Executive, Elect Her said:

“We are really excited to be partnering with the Scottish Parliament in our Scotland's Women GatHER event on Saturday. If we want a genuinely feminist and equitable society, we need women in all of their diversity represented across every sphere of politics. We hope to celebrate women, wherever they are on their pathway to political power, and encourage a new generation of politicians to create action plans for their personal contributions to the future of Scotland's democracy.”

Councillor Shona Morrison, COSLA President, said:

“Politicians, across all spheres of Government, must truly reflect the communities that they serve, and Local Government is no exception. Strengthening local democracy is a key priority for COSLA and this cannot be achieved without equal representation of women in local elected office.

“As co-Chair of COSLA’s Barriers to Elected Office Special Interest Group, alongside Vice President Cllr Steven Heddle, I am delighted that COSLA is supporting Scotland’s Women Gather on 24th June. We all agree on the importance of equal representation of women within our democratic systems and this cannot be realised without seeing many more women at decision-making tables across Scotland.”

Closing speeches will also be given by Emma Roddick MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Equalities, Migration & Refugees and the President of COSLA Councillor Shona Morrison.

The day will also include a showcase of the breadth of women’s culture in Scotland with live performances by the Piper to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh Louise Marshall, Maryhill Integration Network’s Joyous Choir, Miss PunnyPennie, ‘The Fear Implant’ by Maryam Hamidi commissioned by the Stellar Quines Theatre Company and Scotland’s only all women ceilidh band Danse McCabre. Commissioned banners created by groups of local Girl Guides from across Scotland will be displayed.