International Women’s Day: Debate set for Holyrood

HUNDREDS of women from different backgrounds across Scotland will take part in a debate at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow to mark International Women’s Day.

The event will focus on the influence of women and key speakers include Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran and former Labour MP Maria Fyfe. There will also be a poetry recitation by Scots Makar Liz Lochhead.

Deputy Presiding Officer Elaine Smith MSP, who will chair the event, said: “This forum is important in bringing women from all walks of life into their parliament to discuss issues that affect them in their everyday lives.”

A motion on women and work covers issues of part-time working, occupational segregation, childcare, women in business, managing unequal pay in local authorities, the impact of attitudes and welfare reforms on women and families.