Women for Independence

[squidge]

I have been involved in this group from its beginning and I am delighted to let you all know that it has gone live today. Media Coverage has been reasonably positive and there is to be a formal launch in Stirling on 30th September

http://womenforindependence.org/

Here is an article written by one of the original members

http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2012/08/13/indy-women/

Enjoy!!!

[Corrie 3]

Absolutely brilliant Squidge, I must applaud whoever thought of this idea and also the women who take part. I just wish there was a similar thing for men because this womens site seem to be looking into Independence far deeper than any other group. Mind you, women do tend to look deeper and further into things than men do, they want to know if they are doing the right thing or not. They will dissect the problem, sort out the for's and against's and then decide whether Independence is for them.
I think far too many people get one thing into their head that put's them off and then they stick to that come what may. Instances are........I dont like Alex Salmond, I dont like the SNP, they will take my British passport off me, I wont get as much pension or benefits, when the oil runs out we are finished.etc, etc, etc. I think this site for women asks and answers more questions than I have ever seen on one website.
Well done the Ladies, I for one are very well impressed!

C3...................

[equusdriving]

I think far too many people get one thing into their head that put's them off and then they stick to that come what may. Instances are........I dont like Alex Salmond, I dont like the SNP, they will take my British passport off me, I wont get as much pension or benefits, when the oil runs out we are finished.etc, etc

C3...................

this coming from the man who made up his mind 40 years ago and says nothing will change it HYPOCRITE

[Rheghead]

A scene from Macbeth springs to mind....

[Yon Chiel]

http://womenforindependence.org/
Here is an article written by one of the original members
http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2012/08/13/indy-women/

What a lot of vapid twaddle.

What the devil does 'Scottish' mean in any case ? An arbitrary line is drawn from east to west on a land mass, purely for administrative purposes, and for some reason one group of people on one side of it are supposed to be so different to those on the other. Ill-informed jingoism at its worst.

I feel no more association with someone from Whitburn than I do with someone from Whitby. I have as little in common with a native of St Andrews as a native of St Helens.

[oldmarine]

I enjoyed it!!!

[oldmarine]

My wife is one of the finest women I have ever met.

[John Little]

[QUOTE=Yon Chiel;969803]What a lot of vapid twaddle. What the devil does 'Scottish' mean in any case ? An arbitrary line is drawn from east to west on a land mass, purely for administrative purposes, and for some reason one group of people on one side of it are supposed to be so different to those on the other. Ill-informed jingoism at its worst.

I agree. Especially on the vapid twaddle bit.It reads just like some of the pie in the sky stuff that the old Greater London Council used to pump out when Red Ken ran it back in the 80s.

[Kenn]

I'm all for independent women have been promoting it for years.

[spurtle]

Why do some women feel the need to separate themselves to specialist groups - are we not capable of debate with in a male forum? Are we that stupid we need special groups to help us along .I find it insulting every time I see one of these

[Gronnuck]

I wonder if men formed a 'Men for Independence' group they would be accused of being misogynists, chauvinists and a whole lot worse?
As it is this debate continues to divide the cause, loosen cohesion, create schisms and I fear it will ultimately cause failure.

[squidge]

No we are not stupid spurtle but women are under represented in the world of politics and many women feel disassociated with the debates that are going on just now. It is interesting to have a space to listen to women and see what their views and what prevents them from being involved. I think its a good thing and as there are all sorts of groups who are discussing how independence affects them and what they want to see in an Independent Scotland then it seems logical for women to do so as well. I feel that I have a voice but many many women across all walks of life are saying they do not feel that way. They feel ignored and powerless - the aims of the group are to improve that.

Gronnuck you are wrong - this is not about exclusion - the idea is to engage with women who are not engaged just now and that will only increase inclusion in the debate rather than be about excluding people. There are many groups taking the debate to all sorts of people who have felt disconnected from it. This is another one.

[spurtle]

Women do have a voice and we need to stop whinging about not being heard and be more pro-active

[squidge]

Women do have a voice and we need to stop whinging about not being heard and be more pro-active

I ABSOLUTELY Agree and that is precisely what we are doing with Women for Independence - being proactive and ensuring that the views and opinions of women are heard!

[spurtle]

Yes, with in a women only forum, WHY????

[squidge]

The forum is a space for women to discuss and debate.

The group does however have a facebook page which is open to anyone to comment regardless of sex.

Interestingly there has been more of an issue with anti women spamming than with Anti-independence spamming. Bizarre!!!!

[spurtle]

We need to represent ourselves as individual people not as "women" as if all women want the same things we are as different as men are to each other. I am me and am not defined by my gender and as soon as you start this sort of thing it encourages the view that women are different

[Oddquine]

Yes, with in a women only forum, WHY????

Why not? Doesn't just about every group which can be formed around a specific demographic, currently have a a pro-independence FB page/website..why should women be excluded? As long as they take part in the wider debate as well in more generalised situations, what is the problem?

[squidge]

If we are all individuals and not defined through our gender then why is that women are still paid less than men, that women are under represented in politics, the media and other areas? Why is it that women still outnumber men as victims of domestic abuse? Why is it that women work more part time than men do and why is it that women still bear the majority of the responsibility for household chores and child rearing?

We are all different but as individuals we may need to support others who are not able to voice their opinions or their concerns. We choose how to do that - either by joining a trade union and representing our members, standing up for people with disabilities, people with mental health problems or other groups. This group is there to listen to what women specifically have to say about independence and to try to ensure that any issues which arise that women feel are not being discussed or taken seriously are brought to the fore and discussed within the wider debate and within policy making circles. This is done specifically because research and studies have shown that women are not engaging with politics and with the independence debate. That evidence is there and so those individuals amongst us who are engaging are trying to encourage others to do so.

It is however a personal choice Spurtle and if you dont feel that women have anything different to say or you dont want to identify yourself with a group of women or contribute to their debate then thats fine. I feel differently and Im putting my money where my mouth is - Im trying to ensure that as many people and women in particular get a chance to have their voices heard in this debate. Thats all.

[rob1]

Many women fought and some died to gain equil rights. Now that there is legislation in place to insure that women and men are treated with the same dignity and respect, it is a shame that some women feel the need to isolate themselves by joining these types of groups.

Women earn less then men because there is a higher proportion of women in part time work. They work part time because either that is all they want to, or because they are bringing up children and need the extra time to look after them or lack the experaince for a full time position because they were rainsing children. They look after the children because the mother is better at being the mother than the father is. Women to most of the household chores, because in my experiance, when I do them I get told "You're doing it wrong" and then my wife does them again - so I don't bother in the first place. If women feel that they are being under represented in politics then get off your bum and go and stand for election - there is nothing stopping you! By saying that women are under represented you are indirectly saying that the electorate is sexist - as we vote for who gets in!

Just remember it was only recently that retirement age was made the same - infact some women can still retire at 60 - dispite women living longer than men