A FEMINIST leadership group has published a series of blogs from black and minority ethnic women (BAME) in Scotland highlighting the “unconscious bias and the systemic racism and sexism that penetrates Scottish institutions”.

The blogs are written by members of the Feel Good Women’s Group based in Glasgow’s Govanhill; the Ubuntu Women Shelter in the city; and members of the Young Women’s Movement in Scotland and Zero Tolerance. They discuss a variety of issues including community activism, personal experiences of racism and sexism and the links between anti-racism work and prevention of violence against women.

The group was formed in Glasgow in February 2020 at a feminist leadership course organised by the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC), a national umbrella organisation for the women’s sector.

The group continued to meet virtually through lockdown to deliver the project, seeking to highlight the voices and experiences of BAME women.

Aleisha Omeike, 19, said: “I chose to get involved with this project because, as a woman of colour, I understand how pressing this issue is.

“Being a BAME woman in Scotland comes with setbacks that others don’t have to face. I only came to realise this in recent years, when I was told at one of my first ever job interviews that my natural hair looked unprofessional. Since my awakening I’ve made it my mission to make other people aware of the unconscious bias and the systemic racism and sexism that penetrates Scottish institutions.

“Therefore, I feel honoured to be part of the Spotlight Campaign which is helping highlight these issues and doing so in an excellent way; by giving BAME women the platform they deserve.”

The blogs can be read at wrc.org.uk/feminist-spotlight-campaign