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3 May 2024
The Rt Hon Harriet Harman MP joined women MSPs at the Scottish Parliament this week to help launch a new cross-party caucus.
The Scottish Parliament’s Women’s Caucus aims to focus on issues such as barriers for entry for women to the Parliament and politics in general, the impact of social media, and what makes a family and life-friendly Parliament.
Ms Harman was invited to speak at this first event by the Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP, who chairs the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Sensitive Advisory Group.
The establishment of the Caucus was recommended in the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Sensitive Audit report, which called for a forum “for women to discuss issues of mutual interest and to provide a support network”.
Parliamentary caucuses focused on delivering advances in the rights of women have been formed around the world. They are seen to provide crucial platforms that can help amplify women’s voices to be heard in political discussions and debates.
This was the first in a series of events with guest speakers from all walks of life.
Speaking following the Caucus, Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said:
“I was thrilled that Ms Harman was able to be the first guest speaker at our caucus.
“During the caucus women MSPs, were able to hear Ms Harman’s inspirational account of championing women’s rights, before taking part in a lively discussion about women’s representation and participation in politics.
“Establishing this Caucus was one of the recommendations in our Gender Sensitive Audit report, so I’m delighted we could start with such a well-known and highly regarded speaker.”
Rt Hon Harriet Harman MP, Mother of the House of Commons said:
“The Scottish Parliament is blazing a trail. I'm full of admiration for the pioneering leadership of the Presiding Officer in setting up this women’s caucus.
“With 46% of MSPs, and being cross-party, this will be the most powerful group in the Scottish Parliament. This will drive rapid progress for women in Scotland. Westminster should follow in the steps of our sisters in Holyrood.”
The Caucus has been developed by the Presiding Officer and the Parliament’s Gender Sensitive Advisory Group following a recommendation in the Gender Sensitive Audit:
Recommendation 29
The Presiding Officer or their Deputy to set up and convene a Women’s Forum open to all women MSPs. The purpose would be for women to discuss issues of mutual interest and to provide a support network. The Forum would also be part of the overall embedding of work of this Board by feeding in its views on progress to the Gender Sensitive Parliament Advisory Group
More information about the Gender Sensitive Audit and the Parliament’s ongoing response to its recommendations can be found here:
https://www.parliament.scot/about/how-parliament-works/equal-representation-and-participation
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