100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE – MHAIRI BLACK WELCOMES CENTENARY FUND

Projects to mark the anniversary of the women in the UK first receiving the vote will receive £500,000 from the Centenary Fund. The Fund will support a variety of projects including those looking to improve women’s political representation and participation in public life.

As part of the Centenary Fund, up to £170,000 will be made available for local and community-based projects to apply to the Scottish Government’s Vote Centenary Small Grant Scheme.

Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, welcomed the announcement.

Commenting, she said:

“We have come a long way since some women secured the right to vote 100 hundred years ago, yet much still needs to be done to eradicate gender inequality and create a fairer, safer and more equal society.

“The Vote Centenary Small Grant Scheme is now open for applications.  We are asking local communities to think of creative ways in which they can mark the centenary and I would encourage those that can to apply to the scheme as soon as possible.

The Representation of the People Act (1918) was a vital step forward for gender equality, and the centenary of the act is an incredibly important opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come, thanks to the extreme bravery and sacrifice of the women who fought – and in some cases died – for equality.

“We all know that there is lots more to do to tackle issues specific to women, we still have absurd inequalities that plague our society such as the gender pay gap, the rape clause, violence against women, maternity discrimination and the tampon tax.

“This funding from the Scottish Government will ensure we pay tribute to the women who fought so hard for the rights that women have today, as well as playing an important part in encouraging the next generation of women leaders.”