WHILE Scottish Women in Sport have a specific lens on women and girls in sport, we appreciate that our work is only a small reflection of the bigger issues that impact on women and girls daily. We are also aware that our strategies will not work in isolation and that if society as a whole doesn’t pull together to ensure gender equality in all areas of young women’s lives, our own work for an inclusive Scotland in sport will be fruitless.
In 2017, the First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (NACWG) was formed, chaired by the extremely capable and talented Louise Macdonald, CEO of Young Scot. The NACWG is made up of 16 women and girls who come from a variety of backgrounds, roles and jobs. However, the discussion doesn’t stop with this group; to ensure that they reach out and include everyone’s voices in their reports, they host “circle” events three times a year which are open to all.
For September and October the spotlight is on sport, and they would like to hear from individuals and groups from all communities across Scotland. They are asking three questions. For women and girls in sport, what needs to change to improve opportunities? What needs to change to reduce harmful stereotypes? And what actions should the NACWG recommend to improve gender equality? They are inviting the wider public to form their own wee “circles” to debate this topic.
With my love of all things social media, I have to say that their # is perfect – #generationequal. If you would like to get involved and create your own “wee circle”, details are on their website: https://onescotland.org/equality-themes/advisory-council-women-girls/contact-us/
Over at Shinty everyone is keeping their fingers crossed that single Feel The Power written by musician Gary Innes will appeal to a broad-church of music lovers, shinty lovers and sport lovers, all of whom might be happy to part with £1.00 to download it. All of the money raised through the song will go to the Women’s Camanachd Association, with a goal to reach the top 40.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here