This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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International Women's Day
10/03/2003
It is 75 years since all women won the right to vote, there are more women in senior positions than ever before and we have seen real progress in women's rights, said Social Justice Minister Margaret Curran before a conference to celebrate International Women's Day.
She went on: "I would be the first to acknowledge that there has been significant progress made in recent years. We have introduced innovative measures to tackle domestic abuse, focused support for lone parents and improved childcare support. But we still have much to achieve, particularly in the field of employment and in tackling women's poverty, before we can claim real equality for women.
"That's why I am pleased to announce an 850,000 pounds funding package to support the work of the thousands of Scottish women who are determined to close the gap that still exists between men and women."
The funding from the Social Justice budget for 2003-04 comprises:
- 500,000 to support the specific recommendations of the Women's Strategic Group, an independent group chaired by Professor Joan Stringer
- 170,000 to strengthen the role of organisations including establishing a new Women's Convention to give women more influence on Government, the Parliament and other Scottish institutions
- 150,000 for the Women's Fund for Scotland to continue its support for local groups
- 30,000 funding for the 'Close the Gap' initiative which works to reduce the income gap between men and women
Previous Women's Fund projects include:
In Edinburgh, Greater Pilton's 'Women onto Work' initiative received 5,000 pounds from the Women's Fund last year to employ a course co-ordinator to run a 12 week training course to get women into work, training and further education. Eight women are currently undertaking the course learning assertiveness and interview skills and are about to undertake placements which include shadowing staff at hospitals and universities in the city.
Dundee International Women's Centre received 3,000 pounds last year to support the training of 15 community volunteers. It targets women from minority ethnic communities and the money helps provide training in public speaking and assertiveness skills and covers the travel and childcare costs of participants.
This funding for 2003/04 is part of the Social Justice funding which was announced as part of the Scottish Budget 2003-06.
Margaret Curran will highlight how she would like this agenda to progress at a Scottish Executive conference to celebrate International Women's Day on Monday 10 March at the EICC in Edinburgh.
International Women's Day dates back to 8 March 1857 when hundreds of women workers in New York City staged a strike against low pay. In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day.
Last month the Executive set up a new short-life, independent group, chaired by Professor Joan Stringer, Principal of Napier University with a remit to draw up an Agenda For Action to improve opportunities for women.
Close The Gap is a campaign launched by the Executive in 2001. It works with the Equal Opportunities Commission Scotland, Scottish Trades Union Congress, business organisations including CBI Scotland, Citizen's Advice Scotland, ACAS, Fair Play, Scottish Enterprise and HIE and the Scottish Low Pay Unit. It aims to raise awareness of the pay gap, promote good employment practice and encourage activity to reduce the pay gap.