That the Parliament welcomes the work of and progress made by the Commission on the Status of Women, which is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); understands that it is the principal global policy-making body dedicated to gender equality and advancement of women; recognises that the first commission was established by the ECOSOC resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946, with the aim of preparing recommendations and reports to the council on promoting women’s rights in political, economic, civil, social and educational fields; celebrates the 57th session of the commission, which took place in 2013 and made the Elimination and Prevention of all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls its main focus; agrees with the Prevention, Protection and Prosecution or "three Ps" approach, which, it considers, creates a strong partnership between the commission and national governments and will help reduce the use of violence against women worldwide; considers that violence against women is not just a problem in developing states, but that different forms of violence, such as domestic violence, remain a serious and prominent issue worldwide; honours the organisations SWC, Soroptimist International, Scottish Women’s Aid, Scottish Episcopal Church, YWCA and WAGGs, which represented Scotland at the 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, and joins the commission in urging states to adopt and review legislation to criminalise violence against women and girls worldwide.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the work of and progress made by the Commission on the Status of Women, which is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); understands that it is the principal global policy-making body dedicated to gender equality and advancement of women; recognises that the first commission was established by the ECOSOC resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946, with the aim of preparing recommendations and reports to the council on promoting women’s rights in political, economic, civil, social and educational fields; celebrates the 57th session of the commission, which took place in 2013 and made the Elimination and Prevention of all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls its main focus; agrees with the Prevention, Protection and Prosecution or "three Ps" approach, which, it considers, creates a strong partnership between the commission and national governments and will help reduce the use of violence against women worldwide; considers that violence against women is not just a problem in developing states, but that different forms of violence, such as domestic violence, remain a serious and prominent issue worldwide; honours the organisations SWC, Soroptimist International, Scottish Women’s Aid, Scottish Episcopal Church, YWCA and WAGGs, which represented Scotland at the 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, and joins the commission in urging states to adopt and review legislation to criminalise violence against women and girls worldwide.
Supported by: Annabelle Ewing, Dennis Robertson, Bill Kidd, Joan McAlpine, Chic Brodie, Adam Ingram, Richard Lyle, Elaine Smith, Mike MacKenzie, Fiona McLeod
|
|
That the Parliament believes that there is a serious need for change with regard to the services available for children who have experienced sexual abuse and violence; commends the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe on its campaign, One in Five, which was launched in 2010 and hopes to address this issue by gathering further signatories to, and the ratification and implementation of, the Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, which is known as the Lanzarote Convention; believes that its 'four Ps' approach of prevention, protection, prosecution and participation will ensure that public sector agencies are run properly to enable children and young people to be protected and supported and to help ensure that perpetrators of sexual violence are pursued and brought to trial, and warmly welcomes what it sees as the campaign's work in getting towns and regions to commit to raising awareness of the issue and to encourage them to work toward achieving the aims of the campaign.
Current Status:
That the Parliament believes that there is a serious need for change with regard to the services available for children who have experienced sexual abuse and violence; commends the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe on its campaign, One in Five, which was launched in 2010 and hopes to address this issue by gathering further signatories to, and the ratification and implementation of, the Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, which is known as the Lanzarote Convention; believes that its 'four Ps' approach of prevention, protection, prosecution and participation will ensure that public sector agencies are run properly to enable children and young people to be protected and supported and to help ensure that perpetrators of sexual violence are pursued and brought to trial, and warmly welcomes what it sees as the campaign's work in getting towns and regions to commit to raising awareness of the issue and to encourage them to work toward achieving the aims of the campaign.
Supported by: Joan McAlpine, Hugh Henry, Stuart McMillan, Roderick Campbell, Helen Eadie, Annabelle Ewing, Adam Ingram, Kevin Stewart, Anne McTaggart, Mike MacKenzie, Chic Brodie, John Mason, Colin Beattie, Malcolm Chisholm, Fiona McLeod, Christian Allard, Jamie Hepburn, Nigel Don, John Finnie, Neil Findlay, Gil Paterson, Dave Thompson, David Torrance, Colin Keir, Jean Urquhart, Sarah Boyack, Stewart Maxwell
|
|
That the Parliament congratulates the South Lanarkshire Carers Network (SLCN) on what it considers its outstanding work in helping to develop its Reshaping Care for Older People Programme (RCOP); understands that RCOP is geared toward providing more support at home and in the community for the growing number of people who are aged 65 or over; considers that there is a need for this type of multiagency approach, which involves NHS Lanarkshire, North and South Lanarkshire councils and the independent sector; understands that, across Lanarkshire and the rest of Scotland, people are living longer and healthier lives than ever before and that it is expected that the number of older people requiring some form of care will rise by up to 25% by 2016 and that, by 2032, this figure will increase by 66%; believes that many people of all ages care for someone and the SLCN is there to help; understands that, according to census data, 51% of carers are aged 60 and over; notes a survey suggesting that 14% of people aged 16 or over in South Lanarkshire provide care on a regular basis and that only 11% of young carers see friends every day; welcomes the work of SLCN in providing support to carers and those who require care, and believes that such work shows the need for strong community ties in Lanarkshire and across Scotland.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates the South Lanarkshire Carers Network (SLCN) on what it considers its outstanding work in helping to develop its Reshaping Care for Older People Programme (RCOP); understands that RCOP is geared toward providing more support at home and in the community for the growing number of people who are aged 65 or over; considers that there is a need for this type of multiagency approach, which involves NHS Lanarkshire, North and South Lanarkshire councils and the independent sector; understands that, across Lanarkshire and the rest of Scotland, people are living longer and healthier lives than ever before and that it is expected that the number of older people requiring some form of care will rise by up to 25% by 2016 and that, by 2032, this figure will increase by 66%; believes that many people of all ages care for someone and the SLCN is there to help; understands that, according to census data, 51% of carers are aged 60 and over; notes a survey suggesting that 14% of people aged 16 or over in South Lanarkshire provide care on a regular basis and that only 11% of young carers see friends every day; welcomes the work of SLCN in providing support to carers and those who require care, and believes that such work shows the need for strong community ties in Lanarkshire and across Scotland.
Supported by: Nigel Don, Bill Kidd, Kenneth Gibson, David Torrance, Roderick Campbell, Annabelle Ewing, Adam Ingram, Richard Lyle, Rob Gibson, Aileen McLeod, Colin Beattie, Joan McAlpine, Mike MacKenzie, Stuart McMillan, Anne McTaggart, Kevin Stewart, Fiona McLeod, Christine Grahame, Dennis Robertson, Gil Paterson, Sandra White, Siobhan McMahon, Maureen Watt, Angus MacDonald, Jamie Hepburn
Current Status: Eligible for Members’ Business, Pending Cross Party Support
|
|
That the Parliament welcomes the opportunities that it considers will be brought about by a model UN event being held by the United Nations Association UK and the British International Studies Association on 4 July 2013 at Kings College, London; notes that students between the ages of 13 and 18 will be involved and that they will receive an introduction to international relations through participation as world leaders in a model UN where they will negotiate a resolution; understands that this is a fun experience, which builds key skills in co-operation, team-building and public speaking, and congratulates all those involved in what it considers this worthwhile event.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the opportunities that it considers will be brought about by a model UN event being held by the United Nations Association UK and the British International Studies Association on 4 July 2013 at Kings College, London; notes that students between the ages of 13 and 18 will be involved and that they will receive an introduction to international relations through participation as world leaders in a model UN where they will negotiate a resolution; understands that this is a fun experience, which builds key skills in co-operation, team-building and public speaking, and congratulates all those involved in what it considers this worthwhile event.
Supported by: Dennis Robertson, Bruce Crawford, Joan McAlpine, Hanzala Malik, David Torrance, Jackie Baillie, Kenneth Gibson, Helen Eadie, Rob Gibson, Colin Beattie, Anne McTaggart, John Finnie, Mike MacKenzie, Chic Brodie, Richard Lyle, Adam Ingram, Jamie Hepburn, Gil Paterson, Annabelle Ewing, Fiona McLeod, Jean Urquhart, Roderick Campbell, Linda Fabiani, Dave Thompson, John Wilson, Kevin Stewart, Maureen Watt, Sandra White, Stuart McMillan
|
|
That the Parliament welcomes the news that the UK Programme Action Committee of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland Limited will be launching a campaign in partnership with the Prison Reform Trust, the aim of which is to reduce the unnecessary imprisonment of women in Scotland and in the rest of the UK; recognises that how women are treated in the criminal justice system is, according to Kenny MacAskill MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, “one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time”; agrees that reform is required for the sake not only of victims, but also for women offenders who are struggling to deal with chaotic and disrupted lives, many of whom have also been victims of physical and sexual abuse; understands that the average cost of a community payback order is approximately £2,400, which is half the cost of a three month prison sentence; commends and appreciates the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders, which highlight the need for increased fiscal work orders and community justice centres rather than prison sentences, which, it considers, have proved to be just as effective in reducing the number of prisoners who reoffend within one year of their release, and supports the cabinet secretary's call for all those in the criminal justice system and the wider public sector to work together to help bring to fruition the changes recommended by the commission led by Dame Elish Angiolini.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the news that the UK Programme Action Committee of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland Limited will be launching a campaign in partnership with the Prison Reform Trust, the aim of which is to reduce the unnecessary imprisonment of women in Scotland and in the rest of the UK; recognises that how women are treated in the criminal justice system is, according to Kenny MacAskill MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, “one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time”; agrees that reform is required for the sake not only of victims, but also for women offenders who are struggling to deal with chaotic and disrupted lives, many of whom have also been victims of physical and sexual abuse; understands that the average cost of a community payback order is approximately £2,400, which is half the cost of a three month prison sentence; commends and appreciates the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders, which highlight the need for increased fiscal work orders and community justice centres rather than prison sentences, which, it considers, have proved to be just as effective in reducing the number of prisoners who reoffend within one year of their release, and supports the cabinet secretary's call for all those in the criminal justice system and the wider public sector to work together to help bring to fruition the changes recommended by the commission led by Dame Elish Angiolini.
Supported by: Nigel Don, Dennis Robertson, James Dornan, Sandra White, Joan McAlpine, Aileen McLeod, David Torrance, Colin Beattie, Rob Gibson, Chic Brodie, Richard Lyle, Adam Ingram, Stuart McMillan, Christine Grahame, Annabelle Ewing, Gil Paterson, Elaine Smith, Bill Kidd, Fiona McLeod, Mike MacKenzie, Jean Urquhart, Linda Fabiani, Kevin Stewart, Dave Thompson, Bruce Crawford, Alison McInnes, Maureen Watt, Angus MacDonald, John Mason, Margaret Mitchell
|
|
That the Parliament recognises 13 to 19 May 2013 as Mental Health Awareness Week; congratulates StepChange Debt Charity on the launch of its new website, which examines the impact that debt and mental health problems can have on a person’s wellbeing; considers that debt and mental health are intrinsically linked; highlights that, according to the study, Still in Red, led by the Mental Health Association, one in four people with mental health problems are in debt; understands that there has been a continuous increase in the number of prescriptions for antidepressants from 1.16 million in 1993 to 4.3 million in 2010, and commends the work being done by StepChange Debt Charity in aiding and guiding people with depression who are experiencing debt.
Current Status:
That the Parliament recognises 13 to 19 May 2013 as Mental Health Awareness Week; congratulates StepChange Debt Charity on the launch of its new website, which examines the impact that debt and mental health problems can have on a person’s wellbeing; considers that debt and mental health are intrinsically linked; highlights that, according to the study, Still in Red, led by the Mental Health Association, one in four people with mental health problems are in debt; understands that there has been a continuous increase in the number of prescriptions for antidepressants from 1.16 million in 1993 to 4.3 million in 2010, and commends the work being done by StepChange Debt Charity in aiding and guiding people with depression who are experiencing debt.
Supported by: Richard Simpson, George Adam, Annabelle Ewing, Nigel Don, Joan McAlpine, Mark Griffin, Angus MacDonald, Dennis Robertson, Kenneth Gibson, Roderick Campbell, Richard Lyle, Hanzala Malik, Stuart McMillan, Anne McTaggart, Stewart Stevenson, Bill Walker, Bruce Crawford, Chic Brodie, John Mason, Adam Ingram, John Wilson R, Kezia Dugdale, Colin Beattie, Bill Kidd, Helen Eadie, Aileen McLeod, Jackie Baillie, Kevin Stewart, John Finnie, Fiona McLeod, James Dornan, Mike MacKenzie, Gil Paterson, Colin Keir, Sandra White, Siobhan McMahon, David Torrance, Maureen Watt, Dave Thompson
|
|
That the Parliament considers that many people in Scotland will face a major disadvantage as the UK Government pursues its target of 80% of benefit applications being completed online by 2017; is hugely concerned at the results of a survey by Citizens Advice Scotland, which found that three quarters of Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) clients with benefit issues say that they will struggle to apply for their benefit entitlements online, with 39% saying that they will not be able to apply online at all; recognises the barriers outlined in the report, such as the cost of and access to the internet and computers, health and disability, and lack of skills, training and education; believes that this policy is discriminatory, will particularly impact on vulnerable people and could lead to people losing the income that they rely on; commends the CAB service in Scotland for supporting the many people who it considers will be penalised by this policy, and recommends that both adequate and resourced infrastructure, training and support must be made available to people by the UK Government if it wants to continue the policy of moving people to being "digital by default" and that the 80% target is dropped until this is done.
Current Status:
That the Parliament considers that many people in Scotland will face a major disadvantage as the UK Government pursues its target of 80% of benefit applications being completed online by 2017; is hugely concerned at the results of a survey by Citizens Advice Scotland, which found that three quarters of Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) clients with benefit issues say that they will struggle to apply for their benefit entitlements online, with 39% saying that they will not be able to apply online at all; recognises the barriers outlined in the report, such as the cost of and access to the internet and computers, health and disability, and lack of skills, training and education; believes that this policy is discriminatory, will particularly impact on vulnerable people and could lead to people losing the income that they rely on; commends the CAB service in Scotland for supporting the many people who it considers will be penalised by this policy, and recommends that both adequate and resourced infrastructure, training and support must be made available to people by the UK Government if it wants to continue the policy of moving people to being "digital by default" and that the 80% target is dropped until this is done.
Supported by: Joan McAlpine, John Wilson, Nigel Don, Dennis Robertson, John Mason, Jean Urquhart, Aileen McLeod, Gordon MacDonald, Mike MacKenzie, Chic Brodie, Malcolm Chisholm, Angus MacDonald, Stuart McMillan, Gil Paterson, Bill Kidd, Annabelle Ewing, Roderick Campbell, Richard Lyle, Kenneth Gibson, Adam Ingram, Colin Beattie, Kevin Stewart, John Finnie, Fiona McLeod, James Dornan, Colin Keir, Sandra White, Maureen Watt, David Torrance
|
|
That the Parliament welcomes the announcement by the National Lottery to use up to £8 million of lottery money in supporting people affected by domestic abuse across Scotland through the Big lottery Fund Scotland’s Becoming a Survivor scheme; understands that the scheme will make grants from £10,000 to £1 million to help support people affected by domestic abuse and survivors of domestic abuse to be in a home of their choice and help them move on with their lives both practically and emotionally; acknowledges that there are almost 60,000 recorded incidents of domestic abuse each year and that research shows that victims of abuse often feel unsafe in their own homes; understands that domestic abuse is the fourth most common reason for making a homeless application; recognises that the new scheme will support multi-agency approaches to projects helping people who have experienced domestic abuse, and hopes that the scheme will be fully successful in achieving its outcomes.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the announcement by the National Lottery to use up to £8 million of lottery money in supporting people affected by domestic abuse across Scotland through the Big lottery Fund Scotland’s Becoming a Survivor scheme; understands that the scheme will make grants from £10,000 to £1 million to help support people affected by domestic abuse and survivors of domestic abuse to be in a home of their choice and help them move on with their lives both practically and emotionally; acknowledges that there are almost 60,000 recorded incidents of domestic abuse each year and that research shows that victims of abuse often feel unsafe in their own homes; understands that domestic abuse is the fourth most common reason for making a homeless application; recognises that the new scheme will support multi-agency approaches to projects helping people who have experienced domestic abuse, and hopes that the scheme will be fully successful in achieving its outcomes.
Supported by: Joan McAlpine, Chic Brodie, Stuart McMillan, Richard Lyle, Kenneth Gibson, John Mason, Helen Eadie, Adam Ingram, Annabelle Ewing, Jackie Baillie, Angus MacDonald, Jamie Hepburn, Bruce Crawford, Nigel Don, Jean Urquhart, Mike MacKenzie, Richard Simpson, Gil Paterson, Anne McTaggart, Bill Kidd, Kevin Stewart, Dennis Robertson, Fiona McLeod, James Dornan, Maureen Watt, Sandra White, Margaret McDougall, David Torrance
|
|
That the Parliament congratulates eight-year-old Amy Carmichael from Stonehouse, on her attempts to raise £5,000 through the Just Giving website for the charity, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research; notes Amy’s ongoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since July 2012; recognises the strength and determination of Amy, who has also recently helped raise money via a fundraising fashion show; understands that Amy’s school, Newfield Primary School, has also raised funds for the Schiehallion ward at Yorkhill, where Amy has received treatment, and wishes Amy success with her beatbloodcancer-now webpage and her ongoing treatment.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates eight-year-old Amy Carmichael from Stonehouse, on her attempts to raise £5,000 through the Just Giving website for the charity, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research; notes Amy’s ongoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since July 2012; recognises the strength and determination of Amy, who has also recently helped raise money via a fundraising fashion show; understands that Amy’s school, Newfield Primary School, has also raised funds for the Schiehallion ward at Yorkhill, where Amy has received treatment, and wishes Amy success with her beatbloodcancer-now webpage and her ongoing treatment.
Supported by: Jamie McGrigor, Mary Scanlon, Chic Brodie, Willie Coffey, Alex Johnstone, Joan McAlpine, Stuart McMillan, Angus MacDonald, Anne McTaggart, Margaret Mitchell, Gordon MacDonald, Roderick Campbell, Jean Urquhart, David Torrance, Bill Kidd, Annabelle Ewing, Richard Lyle, Mike MacKenzie, Rob Gibson, Nigel Don, Colin Beattie, Dennis Robertson, Jackie Baillie, Sandra White, Margaret McDougall, George Adam, Linda Fabiani, James Dornan, Adam Ingram, Jamie Hepburn, Gil Paterson, Maureen Watt, Colin Keir, Siobhan McMahon
|
|
That the Parliament congratulates the Royal Danish Consulate on the 250th anniversary of its establishment in Edinburgh in 1763; understands that it was first diplomatic mission to be established in the city; considers that consulates can foster strong links between nations, and welcomes the Danish consulate's contribution to the culture and diversity of the city and Scotland.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates the Royal Danish Consulate on the 250th anniversary of its establishment in Edinburgh in 1763; understands that it was first diplomatic mission to be established in the city; considers that consulates can foster strong links between nations, and welcomes the Danish consulate's contribution to the culture and diversity of the city and Scotland.
Supported by: Stewart Stevenson, Patricia Ferguson, Joan McAlpine, Rob Gibson, Stuart McMillan, Gordon MacDonald, Jackie Baillie, John Mason, John Finnie, Malcolm Chisholm, David Torrance, Liam McArthur, Roderick Campbell, Aileen McLeod, Chic Brodie, Neil Findlay, Mike MacKenzie, Adam Ingram, Kevin Stewart, Bruce Crawford, Kenneth Gibson, Jean Urquhart, Annabelle Ewing, Hugh Henry, Nigel Don, Colin Beattie, Dennis Robertson, Sandra White, Maureen Watt, Richard Lyle, Linda Fabiani, Jamie Hepburn, Richard Simpson, Gil Paterson, Stewart Maxwell, Dave Thompson, Bill Walker, Colin Keir, Elaine Smith, Marco Biagi
|
|