What we do
The Scottish Women’s Convention undertakes a number of activities throughout the year, engaging with women on a local and national level.
It is important that women’s voices are heard as part of the decision making process. The SWC therefore provides an effective mechanism for women to engage with politicians and key influencers.
Roadshows
These activities allow the SWC to network with local women and organisations to discuss their priorities. Following each event a report is produced, detailing the discussions and using the voices of the women who attended to enhance the information (no name is attributed to any quote used). The report is then distributed to local decision makers as well as the women who attended, empowering them to challenge local inequalities. The SWC visits areas the length and breadth of Scotland including many rural locations and at least one Scottish island per year.
Conferences
Conferences tend to focus on a particular policy area – employment, health, education etc. Speakers are invited to address the audience with women being given an opportunity to ask questions and speak about their own experiences of the subject being discussed. A report is produced from each event and distributed to key decision makers.
International Women’s Day (IWD)
A special day in the SWC calendar. On the Saturday nearest to 8th March (IWD) the SWC organises an event, bringing together women from throughout Scotland to celebrate IWD. For over 10 years, this has been held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
Consultation responses
The SWC uses the voices of these women to respond to Scottish and UK Government consultations. This means that those that the SWC consults with in communities throughout Scotland can have a voice in how policy impacts on their lives.
International
There are a number of UN Conventions which the UK Government has signed up to and which impact on women in Scotland. The SWC works at a Scotland and UK level to ensure that the voices of women in Scotland are heard by UK Government officials.
Annual reports
The SWC annual report is published on a calendar year basis. It gives details of the main activities undertaken by the organisation during that period.
Archive
Reports of activities from the previous three years can be found in this section. If you require information from earlier years, please contact us.
In this section
Related publications
2016 annual report
A Criminal Offence of Domestic Abuse, April 2016
"The Scottish Government have been engaging with stakeholders to develop a specific
offence of domestic abuse which is intended to improve how Scotland’s justice system
responds to this kind of offending.
A Nation with Ambition, Programme for Government 2017-18
This Programme for Government is the Scottish Governments plan to shape the kind of Scotland they seek – an inclusive, fair, prosperous, innovative country, ready and willing to embrace the future.
A New Future for Social Security in Scotland, March 2016
Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Bill, April 2016
Advertising Standards Agency call for Evidence on Gender Stereotyping in Advertising June 2016
Analysis of Written Responses to the Consultation on Social Security in Scotland
The Scottish Government consultation on ‘A New Future for Social Security in Scotland’ marked another important step in the Scottish Government’s journey towards delivering a uniquely Scottish social security system.
Ballater Roadshow
The Scottish Women’s Convention visited the Victoria and Albert Halls, Ballater, on Thursday 28th August 2016.
Bathgate Roadshow Report
Bathgate Roadshow Report
Bellshill Roundtable Report
The Scottish Women’s Convention (SWC) visited the Orbiston Business Centre in Bellshill on Thursday 9th February.
Best Start Maternity Grant
The Best Start: A Five-Year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland” was published following the review of maternity and neonatal services.
CAP and BCAP Regulatory Statement on the Sexual Portrayal of Under-18s in Advertising
ollowing public consultation, the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), author of the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (the CAP Code), and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), author of the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (the BCAP Code), are introducing new rules prohibiting the sexual portrayal or sexual representation of under-18s (or those who appear to be under 18) in advertising.
Carers Allowance June 2016
Child Poverty in Scotland - what we know and what the public’s views are
Consultation on a Review of the Scottish Social Housing Charter: An Analysis of Responses
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2010 introduced the Scottish Social Housing Charter.
Creating a Fairer Scotland – What Matters To You: Summary of Discussions So Far, March 2016
Creating a Fairer Scotland: Employability Support; Analysis of Consultation Responses, January 2016
CSW Report 2015
Over the past few years, the SWC has sent a delegation to CSW to ensure that the issues raised by women in Scotland around the priority theme are taken to this international arena.
CSW Report 2016
CSW61 Report 2017 examining Women's Employment in Scotland
The SWC has used information and quotes gathered at ‘roadshows’ and conferences for this
report.
Dingwall Report
The Scottish Women’s Convention visited the Tulloch Castle Hotel, Dingwall, on Tuesday 26th August.
Draft Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill
Early Learning and Childcare – 1140 Hours Expansion – Programme of Trials – Discussion Paper, April 2016
"The Scottish Government’s aim is to develop high quality, flexible early learning and childcare
(ELC) which is affordable and accessible for all.
European and External Relations Committee – Call for Evidence - Scotland’s Relationship with the EU
"The European and External Relations Committee is conducting an inquiry into the implications for Scotland’s relationship with the EU after the referendum result.
General Election 2017 - Priorities for Women
On the 18th April, Prime Minister Theresa May announced that a 'snap' general election will be held on Thursday 8th June this year.
Govan Roundtable Report
The Scottish Women's Convention (SWC) visited the Pearce Institute in Govan to discuss topics including Brexit, Social Security, Healthcare and Transport with local women.
Greenock Roadshow Report
The SWC went to Greenock to talk to local women.
Human Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy
In October 2015 the Scottish Parliament passed the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015, the first dedicated Scottish legislation on this issue.
Impact of UK Welfare Reforms in Scotland
Since 2010, successive UK Governments have introduced a raft of welfare changes in pursuit of their austerity approach to deficit reduction.
Low Pay Commission 2017 Report
Low Pay Commission Response
“The Low Pay Commission has been asked to recommend to the UK Government of the UK’s minimum wage rates to apply from April 2017-2018.
Mental Health in Scotland - a 10-year vision: analysis of responses to the public engagement exercise
This summary presents the key messages from the analysis of responses to the Scottish Government’s engagement exercise about a new Mental Health Strategy for Scotland.
National Minimum Wage - Low Pay Commission
Parliamentary Reform Report
The Commission on Parliamentary Reform was launched by the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament on 26 October 2016.
Policing 2026 Strategy
Policing in Scotland has a long and successful record of adapting to the changing demands and needs of people and communities.
Policing 2026 Strategy
Policing in Scotland has a long and successful record of adapting to the changing demands and needs of people and communities.
Portree Roadshow Report
Response to the Equality Statement of the Scottish Draft Budget 2016 - 2017
"The SWC welcomes the Equality Statement which accompanies the 2015-16
Draft Budget.
Review of the Scottish Social Housing Charter – A Consultation
"Following this consultation, the Scottish Government will develop an updated version of the Charter and ask the Scottish Parliament to consider the changes and approve a new Charter from 1st April 2017.
Scotland’s Health Conversation, January 2016
"There are a number of health inequalities in Scotland, with women in deprived
inner city areas living much shorter lives than their peers in less populated,
less deprived parts of the country.
Sexual Portrayal or sexual representation of under 18s
Following public consultation, the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), author of the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (the CAP Code), and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), author of the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (the BCAP Code), are introducing new rules prohibiting the sexual portrayal or sexual representation of under-18s (or those who appear to be under 18) in advertising.
Social Security (Scotland) Bill
Historic legislation to establish Scotland’s first social security system has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.
Social Security (Scotland) Bill - Explanatory Notes
Explanatory Notes for the first Social Security (Scotland) Bill.
Social Security (Scotland) Bill Briefing Paper
The Social Security (Scotland) Bill is a landmark piece of legislation.
Social Security Consultation
The SWC’s response to ‘A New Future for Social Security: Consultation on Social Security in Scotland’ has been informed by the voices of women from a range of backgrounds, geographical areas and of all ages throughout the country.
Souvenir Brochure 2017
State Opening of Parliament Souvenir Brochure
‘The SWC were delighted to be invited by the Scottish Parliament to participate in the State Opening of Parliament on Saturday 2 July 2016.
SWC CSW61 Report 2017
Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work
Over the past few years, the SWC has sent a delegation to CSW to ensure that the issues raised by women in Scotland around the priority theme are taken to this international arena.
Tackling Prejudice and Building Connected Communities
Taylor Review on Modern Working Practices
Thank you letter from Jeane Freeman MSP
Jeane Freeman wrote to the SWC to thank the organisation for its support in achieving the target number of people for the Social Security Experience Panels.
Thank you letter from Jeane Freeman MSP - 23rd June
Jeane Freeman thanks all organisations and members of the public involved in the Social Security Consultation Process and getting the Social Security Bill to Parliament.
The Best Start: A Five Year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland
A Review of Maternity and Neonatal Services in Scotland was announced on 25th February 2015.
The Creation of a Specific Offence of Domestic Abuse - Proposed Associated Reforms to Criminal Procedure
The purpose of this document is to provide details of a number of reforms proposed to criminal procedure that relate to the creation of a specific offence of domestic abuse.
The EU referendum result and it's implications for Scotland
51.
The Fairer Scotland Action Plan
The Scottish Government has this week published its Fairer Scotland Action Plan.
Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy
The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act was
unanimously passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2015.
UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee – 1st Report – Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination
Shockingly, pregnant women and mothers report more discrimination and poor treatment at work now than they did a decade ago.
Universal Credit June 2016
Young Women's Roundtable Report
Ahead of the Scottish Women's Convention (SWC) Conference for Young Women in August, the SWC visited a group of young women at Youth Action Project in Livingston.
