Surge of support for Sturgeon : Scotland's new First Minister talks gender equality

Today marks an historical moment in Scottish politics as leadership of the Scottish National Party is handed over from Alex Salmond to Nicola Sturgeon at a party conference in Perth. Sturgeon who becomes Scotland's first female leader of the SNP, has taken up post at a time that has seen the party's membership increase by over a third post referendum which goes to show that a call for an independent Scotland is not far from minds of voters.

In her first interview as the newly elected leader, Sturgeon was quick to address gender equality saying that there was still a long way to go before its achieved. Whilst she acknowledged that today marks a personal success as well as an historical one, she also wanted women and "wee girls" to know that there should be "no glass ceiling" and while being the first woman in leadership of the SNP is a great first step, she also stated that she hopes not to be the only one and would like to see more. Under her leadership, she stated that she wishes to support women and young girls to realise their potential and will be making it a priority. There is a general election still ahead with discussions about Scotland's economy and issues with Westminster very much high on the cards but Sturgeon seems to be taking it in her stride and I for one am pleased she chose to voice a desire to bridge the gender gap in her first speech as the new First Minister.

Westminster take note ! Sexism is still rife in Parliament. David Cameron's repetition of the infamous and deeply misogynistic "calm down dear" by Michael Winner to shadow chief secretary Angela Eagle is just one of many and ongoing incidents, and frankly it is just not on ! There is a project I fully support called 50:50 Parliament which calls for more female presence in government, currently the House of Commons is made up of 503 men and 147 women, that's 77 % of men making up the figures. There is a petition on http://www.5050parliament.co.uk/ which I urge you to sign as I have. Without an equal presence of men and women, the issues that concern us all will be unfairly represented as they are being now. The issues that women face in society are a responsibility for both genders but they can only be made more visible by more female voices in power to support and work with those already there. 

Hx