In a significant move to support women’s leadership in local government, councillors in Glasgow have expressed their strong endorsement for a new campaign initiated by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). This initiative aims to raise awareness about the challenges women encounter in pursuing roles in politics and to motivate greater participation among women and girls.

Highlights of the Campaign

The COSLA campaign emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of female leaders within local governments. It also acknowledges the various barriers that women face, which can deter them from seeking elected positions.

Both Councillor Jacqueline McLaren, Glasgow’s Lord Provost, and Councillor Soryia Siddique, deputy leader of the Glasgow Labour Group, have vocalized their support for the initiative. They aim to inspire more women to step into roles of authority within local politics.

Voices for Change

“We must all continue to talk openly about barriers and issues faced by women in politics, and ways in which we can support each other, to ensure that female leaders can serve without fear of abuse or intimidation,” stated Councillor McLaren.

She further articulated the need for diverse representation in politics, explaining that varied experiences and backgrounds contribute to better governance. “Politics needs representation from people with varied experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives,” she added.

“Women bring vital perspectives to local government, yet too many still face barriers to participation and leadership,” commented Councillor Siddique.

She highlighted the significance of breaking down these obstacles and fostering an environment where women, especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds, feel empowered to assume leadership roles.

Commitment to Safer Leadership

COSLA President Councillor Shona Morrison has reached out to female leaders across Scottish local governments, urging collective efforts to make council leadership roles safer and more accessible. She emphasized the critical nature of fair representation, stating, “This is an issue not only of fair representation, but of ensuring that our local government rightly reflects the communities we serve.”

Recent incidents of intimidation faced by female leaders underline the urgent need for this initiative. Councillor Morrison expressed gratitude for the support from the Scottish Government and Police Scotland in tackling threats against elected officials, asserting that no form of threats or intimidation is acceptable.

Next Steps for Support

In light of current challenges, Councillor Morrison announced plans to inform all Scottish councillors about Police Scotland’s guidance for those facing threats in their political roles, underscoring the priority of ensuring that elected representatives receive adequate support.