Trade Union Women Call for Greater Women’s Representation in Public and Political Life at the 79th Annual STUC Women’s Conference Monday - Tuesday 13-14 November 2006 Perth Concert Hall
Women workers from across Scotland will today call for more action and support to address the under-representation of women in public and political life in Scotland.
Women make up only one third of public appointments in Scotland, 12.5% of the judiciary – high court judges and above, 14% of university vice-chancellors, and only 15% of Scottish MPs*. The STUC Women’s Conference will debate why women are not in key decision making positions in greater numbers, and will hear from a range of women that have made it to the higher echelons of political or public life.
Speaking before the Conference, the Chairperson of the STUC Women’s Conference, Sandra Kennie said:
“Achieving balanced representation in public and political life has the potential to revitalise democracy, and improve accountability and decision making. All too often it is the men in suits that wield the power, and this male, pale and stale façade is not conducive to making decisions in the best interests of all of Scotland’s population”.
Mrs Kennie continued:
“Whilst the last few years have seen positive advances for women – Elish Angiolini’s recent appointment as Lord Chief Justice, and a critical mass of 39.5% of female MSPs – women’s participation in public bodies, in the boardroom, and in key decision making positions remains woefully low and cannot be taken for granted”.
“The STUC Women’s Conference will hear from women that have made it in politics or public life, and we hope that this will inspire other women to take this step. We will also be urging the Scottish Executive, the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland, and other key stakeholders, to do more to support and encourage women to move into public life”.
Conference will be addressed by:
• Edwina Hart AM, Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration in the Welsh Assembly Government – Monday 1.30pm • Margaret Curran MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business – Monday 13 November 4.00pm • Malcolm Chisholm MSP, Minister for Communities – Tuesday 14 November 10.00am • Baroness Margaret Prosser, Chair of the Women and Work Commission – Tuesday 11.00am • Karen Carlton, Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland – Tuesday 12.10pm
A Special Session at 2.10pm on Monday 13 November 2006 will hear from women who have made it in politics or public life: Marlyn Glen MSP Councillor Irene Graham Margaret Nicol – Scottish Qualifications Authority Board Member Cathy Peattie MSP Veronica Rankin – Advisory Board Equality Forward Yvonne Strachan – Head of the Scottish Executive’s Equality Unit Agnes Tolmie – Chair Scottish Women’s Convention Ruth Winters – President of Fire Brigades Union
- Statistics from Equal Opportunities Scotland “Who Runs Scotland 2006” Report.
ENDS
Details of motions to be debated at Conference, along with a full Conference programme are available from the STUC Office.
For further information, or to arrange attendance for press during the Conference contact:
Kevin Buchanan STUC tel: 0141 337 8100 or Mary Senior, STUC tel: 0141 377 8100