Events in 2022
Here we publish photos, videos and text of speeches, where available, from events For Women Scotland have organised or participated in.
05 March 2022, Women’s Festival, Alloa
Marion Calder, For Women Scotland, spoke about GRA reform.
See Forth Valley Feminist’s Youtube channel for videos of other speakers including Caroline McAllister, Elaine Miller, Alison Weir and Eva Comrie.
08 March 2022, Witches’ Well, Edinburgh
On International Women’s Day, Scottish women lit candles to remember those who fell victim to the witchcraze which swept Scotland. We find it ironic that the First Minister today apologised to those who are safely dead, but said nothing about the ongoing campaigns against women, including women in her own party, who defend women and women’s rights today.
Somewhere in the region of 84% of the accused were women, victims of a patriarchal society in which women often had to turn on their sisters to survive. We must never forget that madness and violence are not yet behind us. Nor are superstition, cruelty and hate. As we remember the women who died here in Scotland, we also think of those who continue to face persecution at home and abroad. We urge women in parliament to stand up for the most vulnerable today and to commit to ensuring that women are never again made scapegoats to serve the imposition of ideology.
The Critic published Elaine Miller’s reflection on witches: “Women won’t wheesht”
Gatherings were also held at the Witches Well, Paisley and at the Gallus Quines street art to the witches in Aberdeen.
18-19 March 2022, Scottish Conservatives Conference, Aberdeen
We had a stand at the conference and spoke at a panel discussion hosted by Murdo Fraser MSP, alongside Lucy Hunter Blackburn (MurrayBlackburnMackenzie), Malcolm Clark (LGB Alliance) and Sinead Watson (@ImWatson91).
Lucy’s speech was mentioned in the Scottish Express article “Nicola Sturgeon’s controversial gender self ID law blasted as example of ‘bad lawmaking’”.
Sinead’s speech was mentioned in the Times article “Lawsuits will blame NHS, warns woman who detransitioned”.
01 April 2022, The Claimants, London
Marion Calder attended “The Claimants” on behalf of FWS to talk about our judicial review win against the Scottish Government. Others talking about their legal cases on sex-based rights include Maya Forstater, Raquel Rosario Sanchez, Nicola Williams and James Esses – further info on the cases is here.
24 September 2022, German Consulate, Edinburgh
Members of FWS and Scottish Feminist Network protested outside the German Consulate in Edinburgh. Sending solidarity to our sisters in Berlin attending #ForOurSistersDemo.
06 October 2022, Scottish Women’s Rally, Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
Speakers: Marion Calder, Elaine Miller, Johann Lamont, Rhona Hotchkiss, Lisa Mackenzie, Isolbelle Kerr, Alison Dowling, Rhona Hotchkiss standing in for Kate Coleman, Maya Forstater, Helen Joyce and Caroline McAllister.
See our page here for the text of some of the speeches, links to media coverage, and photographs.
05 November 2022, Battle of Ideas Festival, Buxton
Marion Calder speaking in the discussion “Call to courage: Is anything worth fighting for?”
21 December 2022, Say No To Self-ID Demonstration, Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
See our page here for videos of the speeches, links to media coverage, and photographs.