Women make up 51% of our population, yet we are not proportionally represented in public life.
In 2017, the percentage of women elected as councillors in Scotland was 29%.
In Angus, it was only 21%. In a council of 28, only 6 were women. This number was made up of 5 out of the 9 SNP councillors and 1 independent woman councillor (aligned with the Tories and other independents). Once the latter woman resigned, it became an all-male Administration. This time round, we have 9 women all told (6 SNP, 2 x independent, 1 x Scottish Labour) = 32%. An improvement, then, but the Opposition remains all-male.
Nationally, Engender (Scotland) is about to undertake research into the new national picture. Our very own Sue Lyons (@squidge142) recently wrote a most eloquent and impassioned blog about the cost of living crisis and poverty, and how they disproportionately affect women and families – women are most definitely the shock absorbers of crises.
I don’t know about you, but I’m fed up with the inequity here!
So you can see why we in WFI are so keen to encourage more women to take our rightful place, not only in elected positions, but in public life generally. If we are around the table when decisions are being made, where policies and laws are being made, and where the public pound (£) is being spent, then we can influence that change and create an economy that values the work women do, paid and unpaid. An economy that focusses on wellbeing and not financial growth, growth, growth.
How do we get there? Pay it forward!
We need to do all we can to encourage more women onto the stage and to make sure our voices are heard. That’s our WFI bread and butter. Since joining Women for Independence | Independence for Women on the National Committee in 2015, I have benefited from the strength, love, support and inspiration of this amazing sisterhood. I would never have stood for my council otherwise.
Daily, I encourage more women and girls to step up into public life because we are so far from being an equal society. We need more of us to bring about the changes we all need, regardless of gender. Remember, too, that once you step forward into public life, other opportunities present themselves. I want to share with you some of those opportunities I’ve had – not to blow my own trumpet, but so you can say ‘I could do that!’ and encourage more women to go for it.
Because you could, you can and we need more of us – all demographics!
Since being elected as a councillor in 2017, I have endeavoured to highlight issues important to women, based on issues that matter to WFI and our members as we head towards the next IndyRef and independence at pace.
As I write, on World Menopause Day 2022, I can celebrate the launch of the Angus Council Periods and Menopause Policy for employees, delivered on #WMD 2019, on the back of my motion to full Council – it was the 3rd introduced to a local authority in Scotland. In Angus Council, we ran Red Tent online events to create safe spaces for women to talk all things periods and menopause.
Every year, I host an International Women’s Day event – the first one I did was the first time ever that any councillor had opened the council chamber for this purpose – imagine! The photo at the top of this blog was taken at the last one before COVID hit. Next year will be a collaboration with one of our MYSPs – we need younger, more diverse voices too.
As a member of the Angus Health and Social Care Partnership integrated joint board (I know) I’ve been able to push for better deals for our hugely respected unpaid carers; keep a residential care home open; support the rollout out of Meeting Centres for people with dementia and their carers; be involved with the local alcohol and drug partnership and, though the community justice partnership, support and develop our incredibly successful women-only justice service, the Glenisla Project (an alternative to custody, keeping women out of prison, keeping families together, improving outcomes for all) and its sister, the Glen Clova Project, to which women can self-refer for support.
I’ve had the honour of representing the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) on Public Health Scotland, from May 2020. To be involved with a brand new public health agency at the start of a global pandemic was terrifying, humbling and inspiring, in equal measure. I would never have had the opportunity without being a councillor.
I haven’t been idle, using that opportunity to reinforce poverty as a public health issue; gender-based violence as a public health issue; raise the profile of mental health and well-being, remote and rural healthcare, and inequalities generally, was an experience I never dreamed possible. Seeing the publication of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan, to which WFI and our members had contributed, rocked!
I have just been appointed the Mental Health and Wellbeing Champion for the PHS board too – and I sit of the board of NHS Tayside, as the Angus stakeholder representative, where the mental health strategy has come in for significant scrutiny. In my various roles, I’ve been involved in consultation submissions about the National Care Service – as women, as service users, as carers, as employees and employers, we need to get this right; biodiversity champions; suicide awareness advocate; older people’s advocate; corporate parent delivering on The Promise (such an important role); supporting partnerships with the vital Third Sector; and delivering for my constituents in my ward.
The prevalence of gender-based violence is such a shocking fact of everyday life and I admit to being taken aback when our local Angus Division of Police Scotland informed me that this is the biggest single issue facing officers on a daily basis – amplifying campaigns to raise awareness to tackle this societal scourge is a privilege and my GBV motion to council underpins a range of services and developments, such as the Glen Clova Project and the Angus Women’s Centre.
COVID reinforced for many of us the value of our volunteer workforce and the Third Sector – in which women play an enormous role. I cannot speak highly enough of the work that went on in Angus – and across the country – in partnership with so many dedicated, compassionate people.
In WFI, we kicked off our first ever official partnership in 2021 – with Change the Chat, running support sessions for women candidates (of any indy party) for the 2022 local authority elections. First of all, these sessions encouraged more women to step forward, then supported them through the candidacy process with their women colleague activists. We all know how patriarchal the system is – some sisterly support was vital! WFI introduced me to the Scottish Women’s Budget Group and I was able to link them up with training though the Improvement Service for councillors and officers – this report is eye-watering. Join them – it’s free. Likewise, I find Engender an invaluable resource. And I was delighted recently to be invited to the launch of a new LGBTQIA+ charity, Under One Rainbow, in support of our siblings.
I can’t describe to you the importance of seeing more women in public bodies. When we get there, we can effect major change in structure, society, attitudes and legislation. Yes, there are days when it feels too hard or too slow or too upsetting. But nevertheless, we persist.
I don’t know about you, but my feminism is as closely linked to my desire for Scottish independence as it could be. Releasing ourselves from the absolute binfire of UK politics and the harsh reality of a Tory Government that’s in hock to vested interests whilst simultaneously being in meltdown is not going to be easy, so we need to stick together and make sure the newly-independent Scotland we seek is gender-just, socially just, inclusive and as fair as can be. Because a society that is more equal improves life’s outcomes for everyone.
If not us, then who? If not now, then when?
Of course we can do it. We’re perfectly capable of making our own decisions; looking after our own money and making our own way in the world – outward-looking, confident, kind, welcoming, thriving in a wellbeing economy, looking after our gloriously beautiful patch of Mother Earth for all of us.
What can WFI do to help you?
Not sure about Independence? Ask!
Want to share your concerns? We listen!
Want a mentor? Ask!
Need a safe space to discuss what matters to you? Come away in!
Need support in campaigning? Join in!
Our campaign issues include, obviously, women’s healthcare, especially our reproductive care and human rights, and our Womanifesto is worth a read.
Be the change you want to see! #WFIReasonsToBeIndy Join us here.
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Jools Bell is a WFI national committee member; and SNP councillor for Kirriemuir and Dean in Angus; lives with her cats, poultry and pupper in the sticks, forages for free food and became a gardener due to Brexit.