It is fashionable in some quarters to sneer at politicians who choose to concern themselves with “women’s issues.” Apparently, to talk about or to demand action on the iniquities which women across the world are still subject to – be they domestic, economic, societal or institutional – is, in the eyes of many, to immediately mark yourself out as someone who can safely be mocked and dismissed.
Well, I say, “To hell with that.” As someone who is privileged to be elected to public office, I firmly believe that I have a duty to try to use the very small amount of power that I have to help those who are powerless. And it is still women who, more often than not, have the least power of all.
A seemingly distant issue felt close to home
The issues highlighted by this year’s 16 Days campaign may seem remote from Scotland but their consequences are felt very close to home. Hundreds of women arrive in Scotland every year seeking asylum from countries where war and conflict are used as justification for systematic acts of physical and sexual violence against them and where the chaos and lawlessness created by international and civil warfare create fertile conditions for crimes such as “honour” killings and human trafficking.
Taking action
The Scottish Parliament has already legislated against female genital mutilation and the Scottish Government recently brought forward a bill to prevent forced marriages. As MSPs, we may have limited powers but we must do what we can, whether by legislating, conducting inquiries, or simply by using the public platforms available to us to speak out, raise awareness and set the tone for debate.
Women’s rights are human rights, and action to help women helps everyone in society.
