SNP members have backed the roll out of the Emily Test pink card scheme to emergency services and education staff by the Scottish Government.
The cards list national specialist support services for gender based violence, and pay tribute to Emily Drouet, 18, who tragically took her own life in 2016 after being a victim of abuse and violence from her boyfriend.
More than 100,000 cards have been distributed to every college and university in Scotland since 2018 after Drouet’s mother Fiona came up with the idea.
It comes as issues such as the pay gap, pension inequality and gender based violence took centre stage at the first day of the SNP conference.
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Two resolutions related to women’s rights were heard at the virtual conference on Friday; one on financial equality for women and the other on women’s safety.
The main focus of the debate on women’s safety centrered around the card scheme, and ways to end violence against women and girls.
Aberdeen University law student Maria Mackay told delegates how she finds “many parallels” between herself and Drouet and feels “action must be taken to improve the situation for young women in higher education”.
She said: “What we need now though, is the assurance that if someone is brave enough to come forward and make a disclosure of any sexual violence or assault that will be dealt with appropriately in a survivor centred way.
Aberdeen University student Mackay said she was "parallels" between her and Drouet
“The death of Sarah Everard really shocked the nation.
“No one should be afraid of the people that are supposed to be there for their safety.
“We need to ensure that survivors want to disclose any information that they have someone that they can fully trust to be professional, confident and supportive.”
Edinburgh Council leader Adam McVey also supported the resolution and said that gender based violence isn’t just a women’s issue, but a men’s issue too.
He said: “If we were to tackle this issue properly, it's not about how we raise our daughters. It's about how we raise our sons.
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“I pledge never to commit, condone, or remain silent about men's violence against women in all its forms.”
SNP MSP Jenni Minto, who also spoke in favour of the motion, said: “I am very pleased that Emily Tests pink cards will be rolled out further, to staff who are often the critical point of contact for survivors of gender based violence.
“We know that equipping them with details for these support services could be a lifeline for so many. “Whilst there is no doubt that the source of violence against women is abusive men, steps like rolling out the Emily Test pink cards are an important part of supporting those who need help now – whilst we tackle the risks and the threats of abuse, harassment and violence that women are subjected to every single day.”
The resolution passed overwhelmingly with 464 votes for and two against.
Fiona Drouet, Emily's mother, came up with the idea for the scheme after her daughter's death
Delegates also discussed how to address the financial inequality faced by women, the effect taking time out of work to have children has on career prospects, and the disparity between pensions for women and men.
Kirsty Blackman MP told delegates that to achieve that equality Scotland has to be a “better and fairer place”.
She said: “Not just for those younger women who are coming through, are going to be having children, who are going to be raising families and becoming unpaid carers, but also for those people who are currently in the bracket holder.
“This is not just a problem for the future that we're looking to solve, this is a problem that we're looking to make better today as well.
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“So we need to improve this financial inequality. We need to do it now and we need to do it for everybody.
“And one of the best ways to do that is by listening to the lived experience that older women have.”
Michelle Thomson MSP told delegates that women “acting in good faith” believing they were valued by society, having taken time out to raise children or work part-time, but were rewarded with one of the worst pensions in Europe.
She said: “This COVID pandemic has seen some women stopping working altogether, many more becoming part time and we know more women are employed in the caring and hospitality professions that pay less with many having the barest minimum of pensions offered.
“Without change women of today will once again end up poorer in old age than men.
“The SNP are right to make the link between fairness, social justice and pensions, having long called for the UK Government to establish an independent savings and pension commission to ensure pension policies are fit for purpose.”
Anne Rendall, who moved the motion, told delegates that 85% of women will bear children, and that choice can make them one third poorer for the rest of their lives.
The resolution passed overwhelmingly with 418 votes for and one against.
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