First Minister vows to smash female glass ceiling

Smashing the glass ceiling to “smithereens” is an important part of tackling inequality, Scotland’s First Minister has said.

Nicola Sturgeon will urge more women to enter politics. Picture: PA

Nicola Sturgeon pledged she would work to “ensure there are no limits on women’s ­ambitions”.

Since becoming First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has made addressing inequality a key focus of her administration. Her cabinet is the first in Scotland to have a 50/50 gender balance between men and women.

She will urge more women to consider getting into frontline politics when she addresses the SNP’s second annual women’s conference in Ayr today.

She said: “Throughout its history, strong women have played an important role in shaping the SNP – Margo MacDonald, Winnie Ewing and Margaret Ewing are just a few of the women who have helped the party become the social democratic force for change that we are today.

“As First Minister, tackling inequality is at the heart of all I do. Smashing the gender glass ceiling to smithereens is an important part of making progress.”

“My simple message to girls and women across Scotland is this: if you are good enough and work hard enough, you can achieve anything. As First Minister I will work to ensure there are no limits on women’s ambitions.

Ms Sturgeon added: “The SNP in government has acted to expand childcare hours – with provision for three and four-year-olds up 45 per cent since 2007, saving families up to £707 per child.”