International Women's Day (IWD) falls on 8 March every year and is a day of global celebration of women's achievements. 2011 is the centenary year.
Many organisations and governments observe IWD by holding large and small-scale events that honour the advances made by women and also provide a reminder of the continued action needed to ensure these advances are maintained and built upon to achieve women's equality in all aspects of life.
International Women's Day 2011
The Scottish Government supports and promotes IWD in a number of ways, and has done so for a number of years. This year, we were involved with the following events/activities:
5 March Afternoon event in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament, followed by a reception in the Garden Lobby of the Parliament - organised by the Scottish Women's Convention (SWC), which Scottish Government funds.
The event's theme was "Celebrating 100 years of achievements, advancements and aspirations and 100 years of International Women's Day". Speakers were:
Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing
The Rt Hon Elish Angiolini QC, Lord Advocate
Annabel Goldie MSP, Leader of the Conservatives in the Scottish Parliament
Elaine C Smith, actor, writer and campaigner for political and charitable causes
Cathy Peattie MSP, Convenor of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Men's Violence against Women and Children
The event was hosted by Trish Godman MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer, and was attended by around 400 women.
8 March Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, took part in a WINNET8 event about Inspiring Women's Entrepreneurship in Scotland.
10 March Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, took part in a members' business debate to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the sit-in by women at the Lee Jeans factory, Greenock. The outcome was that 140 women won back their jobs.
Glasgow Women's Library, which currently receives funding from the Scottish Government, celebrated International Women's Day with a programme of events, including a 'Big Women Quiz of the Century' on 10 March.
Women at Work, which Scottish Government currently funds, celebrated International Women's Day with a programme of events in the Highland area, beginning on 24 February with a day of speakers and activities at the 'Making Our Voices Heard' event at Timespan, Helmsdale and continuing until 17 March.
You can find out about International Women's Day events not only in Scotland but all over the world on the International Women's Day website.