Leading a debate on International Women’s Day (IWD), SNP MSP Michelle Thomson dedicated the debate to the women and girls caught up in the conflict following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The debate is taking place in advance of IWD 2022 which takes place on 8th March.
This year’s theme is Break The Bias and seeks to highlight the impact of bias, both conscious and unconscious, on women and girls and to imagine a world free of bias, stereotype and discrimination.
Michelle Thomson MSP is asking all MSPs participating to join her in dedicating the debate to the women and girls caught up in the current conflict following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Commenting SNP MSP Michelle Thomson said:
“This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is Breaking the Bias and, given the events unfolding over the last few weeks, it seems imperative that we use the opportunity to draw attention to the targeted way the Russian invasion of Ukraine will impact women.
“It’s the least we can do.
“We know that women and girls caught up in conflict suffer hugely – and with women and children making up the bulk of the huge number of refugees who have crossed the borders from Ukraine over the last week it is essential that we recognise their plight and do all we can to help them.
“Too often protecting women and girls from violence is seen as an afterthought.
“Already we have seen the fetishization of women choosing to fight and the threat of sexual violence being used as a ‘weapon of war’.
“It is important for me, and I hope for every other person speaking today, to dedicate this debate to the women in Ukraine and Russia caught up in the current conflict.
“Those women reluctantly leaving their homes to protect their families and those staying to defend their country have unimaginable strength.
“I salute them.”
