Unleash the potential of all our women

By Kirsty McNeill, Scotland Office Minister and MP for Midlothian

- 

THERE'S a lot to live up to if you're a Scottish woman. The legacy of Jennie Lee, who brought us the Open University.

The strategic genius of Mary Barbour and her rent strike army who changed the law to save people's homes. Or the achievements of scientist Mary Somerville which were astronomical in every sense of the word.

It can be daunting to think of the footsteps that we follow in but their examples should also inspire us to unleash the potential of all of Scotland’s women.

This year's International Women's Day campaign theme is Accelerate Action. I'm proud that the UK Government is accelerating action with a Plan for Change to put more money in the pockets of working women and creating more opportunity in the workplace.

Because we know that we still need to break down the barriers that can hold women back, our Employment Rights Bill will further improve parity for women in the workplace, laying the foundation for enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers, and strengthen protections against sexual harassment.