Political voice

Research has shown conclusively that focusing on women’s issues raises the level of debate, enables important issues that would not otherwise be aired and helps us find new ways to address long-standing social policy problems.

Violence against women costs the nation £3.1 billion a year, for every £1 spent on childcare the economy sees a £20 return on its investment, the gender pay gap is actively harming Scottish businesses and the economy…if we stopped listening to male economists and bankers for five minutes in formulating our social and economic policies, we would all be a lot better off. Given women a decent platform and the results will be amazing.

Kirstein Rummery

Professor of Social Policy

School of Applied Social Science, University of Stirling

Lesley Riddoch’s article was inspiring and innovative; why not have a women’s parliament?

It made me feel as though I would want to get involved in politics. I felt that I could be included, that my voice might matter and be heard, whereas at present I do not think this is the case.

For too long we have had male-dominated everything, and they do not always make much of a success, (Royal Bank of Scotland, for example). Look to Iceland and the way it turned its economy around with the women in charge. Come on, let’s not live in the Victorian era any longer. To hang with the old, white male fogies; let’s do something truly different, and have women’s voices heard. A women’s parliament; we can change the world.

Amanda Darling

Bain Square

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

On THE whole, I do not like the idea of promoting one sex over the other – even in the interests of equalising matters. Nevertheless, I relish this plan as a means to giving women more voice.

Mhairi Matheson

Inverinate

Kyle of Lochalsh, Skye