International Women’s Day – Independence debate – Fairtrade events today – Ceilidh – It’s Good 2 Give!
Scotland’s women of influence will meet at Parliament this weekend.
The Influence of Women is the focus of this year’s International Women’s Day to be celebrated at the Scottish Parliament this Saturday.
Hundreds of women from diverse backgrounds across Scotland will take part in the annual event which aims to celebrate women’s achievements and increase the participation and involvement of women in influencing policy.
Deputy Presiding Officer Elaine Smith MSP, who will chair the event, said: – “The Scottish Parliament is delighted to be involved once again in International Women’s Day. I congratulate the Scottish Women’s Convention on the occasion of their 10th Anniversary. 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.”
“This year’s debate will celebrate women who have overcome barriers in education, employment, social and political life to influence the world they live in. The inspirational line-up of speakers seeks to encourage all women to support each other, challenge inequalities and realise that they too can make a real difference at local, national and international levels.”
As part of this year’s event a motion on Women and Work will be debated and contribute to the Equal Opportunities Committee’s Women in Work inquiry. It covers issues on 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.
Committee Convener Mary Fee MSP, who will also be speaking at the event, said:-“Our Committee is delighted to be part of International Women’s Day and we will ensure the personal views expressed by women on their experiences of access and progress within the workplace will be reflected in our Women in Work inquiry.”
The Scottish Parliament has held an event to mark International Women’s Day every year since 2007. The event is organised by the Scottish Women’s Convention which celebrates its 10th anniversary and this year’s speakers are:
* Agnes Tolmie – Chair of the Scottish Women’s Convention and an active campaigner in the women’s movement for over thirty years.
* Nicola Sturgeon MSP – Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities.
* Margaret Curran MP – Former MSP and now Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland.
* Maria Fyfe – Former Labour MP for Maryhill and Chair of the Scottish Constitutional Convention working party on equal representation of women in the planned Scottish Parliament.
* Mette Kindberg – President of UNI World-Europe Women’s Committee.
* Mary Fee MSP – Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Equal Opportunities Committee who are currently conducting an inquiry into Women in Work.
* With poetry recitation by Liz Lochhead – Scots Makar, playwright, writer.
Background
International Women’s Day held annually on 8 March is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
The International Women’s Day event will be held at the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 9 March.
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Fairtrade producer talk: Tuesday 5 March, 12noon – 2pm
Edinburgh University Fairtrade Café at the Chaplaincy. Fairtrade producer Tomy Mathew from India, will give a talk from 1.10pm – 1.20pm, and will be available for informal chat before and after. Tomy Vadakkancheril (or Mathew) is Founder and Managing Director of Elements India, the trading arm of Fair Trade Alliance Kerala, a farmer-support organisation. Elements India exports organic coffee, cashews, peppercorns and other foodstuffs and supplies Traidcraft and Equal Exchange. No need to book a place, just come along. This student-run café won The Lord Provost’s Fair Trade Community Award in 2011.
Fairtrade School’s Showcase: Tuesday 5 March, Holyrood High School
A chance for schools to display their Fairtrade credentials and hear from Tomy Vadakkancheril (or Mathew), Founder and Managing Director of Elements India, the trading arm of Fair Trade Alliance Kerala, a farmer-support organisation. Elements India exports organic coffee, cashews, peppercorns and other foodstuffs and supplies Traidcraft and Equal Exchange. People & Planet students will be running a stall and coconut shy along with Scotmid smoothie bike and Fairtade refreshments from the students of Holyrood High School. Further information from Claire Soper on 0131 469 3230.
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Tonight you can get fit at the ceilidh club @ Summerhall where they have the Occassionals playing, a new band to the Edinburghceilidh club but not to the Ceilidh scene where they have been playing their fantastic music for many years.
Tickets are £6 on the door or in advance from www.edinburghceilidhclub.com/tickets opening with everything kicking off at 8:00pm.
Also don’t miss their next Ceilidh club @ The Picture House on Lothian Road with Teannaich in less than two weeks on the 15 March 2013. Doors open at 6:45pm with dancing kicking off from 7:00pm. You can get your tickets online from www.edinburghceilidhs.com or in person from the Picture House box office, Tickets Scotland (Rose Street), Ripping Records or on Tuesday nights at the Summerhall from Mark.
This week we are supporting the charity It’s Good 2 Give by highlighting their forthcoming events.
Festive Christmas Afternoon Tea
When? Sunday 8 December 2013, 2-4pm, with a pop up shopping experience between 1 and 2pm)
Where? Caledonian – a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Princes Street, Edinburgh
Cost? £25 per person
Our festive afternoon tea event returns – shopping, choirs, fabulous amazing afternoon tea and a glass of something sparking. what’s not to like?
If you book before 31 March price is kept at 2012 prices – £25 pp which is a real bargain. After that it will be at £30 pp – still great value.
To attend any of our events or if you need any additional information, please contact Lynne McNicoll on 07901555352 or lynne@itsgood2give.co.uk
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
