THE Pussyhat project was given the support of SNP MSP, Christina McKelvie, during a Scottish Government debate marking International Women’s Day.
The Pussyhat project has grown into a symbol of support and solidarity for women’s rights around the globe, with supporters donning a fetching visual ‘Pussyhat’.
Despite receiving stern consternation from the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP wore her ‘Pussyhat’ in a show of support for the project.
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
The Scottish Government has put on record its firm commitment to gender equality, with the gender pay gap in Scotland decreasing to 6.2 per cent last year, compared to the UK-wide gap of 9.4 per cent.
Commenting in the debate, McKelvie said: “When are we going to live in a world that does not need to have an international women’s day? Why do we need to, in this futuristic 21st century, still fight for equality, parity, recognition?
“Well the reason we do need to stand together is because for many women there is no equality, parity or recognition.
“Only with solidarity, resilience, commitment and passion will we make this nation a place where our girls feel safe, educated, valued and most importantly of all equal.”
Commenting after the debate, she added: “In order to make a stand, sometimes rules have to be broken.
“Despite a stern telling-off from the Presiding Officer in the Scottish Parliament, I stand in solidarity with my fellow ‘pussyhat’ sisters across the world this International Women’s Day.
“I would encourage all to look into the project and see how we can all show solidarity with the campaign for gender parity and equality throughout the world.”
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